Cobra was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1952.

Where can I see Cobra?

Cobra is held by Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

Artwork

Cobra

Marie-Louise Carven , 1952

Cobra is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1952 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Cobra, created circa 1952, is a fashion design piece by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house. The work is part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The piece depicts a woman in a formal, floor-length black dress with a white patterned bodice, long black gloves, and pulled-back hair. Her pose, with right arm extended behind, conveys elegance and sophistication.

Technique & Style

While the original description does not specify the medium (noted as 'IMAGE Type: IMAGE'), the visual note suggests a rendered or painted representation of Carven’s design, emphasizing her signature use of lightweight fabrics through the depicted dress’s flowing, train-backed silhouette.

History & Provenance

Created around 1952 by Marie-Louise Carven, a pioneering Parisian couturier known for petite women’s designs and early adoption of prêt-à-porter. The piece is now held in the Museum of Ethnography.

Context

Reflects early 1950s Parisian fashion, showcasing Carven’s approach to elegance for petite frames and her influence on accessible, high-fashion prêt-à-porter lines.

Legacy

As part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection, 'Cobra' contributes to the historical record of mid-20th-century French fashion innovation, particularly in the development of prêt-à-porter by couturiers.