Artwork
Coeur vaillant
Coeur vaillant is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1963 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Coeur vaillant, created in 1963 by French fashion designer Marie-Louise Carven, is a fashion drawing highlighting a woman's outfit. Characterized by loose lines and a focus on the garment, it is part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman wearing a short, collared dress with a dark background and bright geometric patterns, paired with simple black heels and a neat, pulled-back hairstyle. The subject's face and background are not the primary focus.
Technique & Style
Executed in a quick, sketchy manner, Coeur vaillant showcases Carven's emphasis on capturing the dress's shape and fabric texture. The bold, geometric pattern on the dress reflects mid-20th-century fashion trends.
History & Provenance
Created by Marie-Louise Carven in 1963, the founder of the Carven fashion house (established in 1945), this piece is now held in the Museum of Ethnography's collection, highlighting Carven's contribution to accessible, petite-friendly haute couture and early prêt-à-porter.
Context
As a pioneer in introducing prêt-à-porter lines, Carven's work, including Coeur vaillant, contextualizes the shift towards more accessible luxury fashion in the early 1960s, catering to petite women with innovative use of lightweight fabrics.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marie-Louise Carven (31 August 1909 – 8 June 2015), born Carmen de Tommaso, was a French fashion designer who founded the house of Carven in 1945.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
Continue through works from the same source collection.
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GLAMOUR
'Renardeau'
Pull-over à manches trois quarts et à encolure V à motifs multicolores, pantalon cerise et lunettes de soleil
Béguinage
