Who painted Gentiane?

Gentiane was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1956.

Where can I see Gentiane?

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

Artwork

Gentiane

Marie-Louise Carven , 1956

Gentiane is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1956 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1956 by French couturier Marie‑Louise Carven, *Gentiane* is a drawing that depicts a woman in a dark‑blue dress with white stripes, a white collar, and a waist belt, complemented by a white hat edged in black. The figure stands with hands at her sides, rendered in clean, linear strokes that emphasize a restrained elegance.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a single female figure, her attire suggesting a blend of everyday wear and refined fashion. The contrast between the dark fabric and bright accents, together with the modest posture, conveys a sense of poised simplicity, reflecting Carven’s focus on clothing that suited petite women while maintaining a sophisticated silhouette.

Technique & Style

Carven employs minimal shading and precise line work, allowing the garment’s pattern and structure to dominate the visual field. The drawing’s simplicity is balanced by attention to detail—the striped fabric, defined collar, and hat band—illustrating a modernist approach that favors clarity over ornamentation, characteristic of mid‑century French fashion illustration.

History & Provenance

Marie‑Louise Carven founded her eponymous fashion house in 1945 and was among the early designers to launch a ready‑to‑wear line. *Gentiane* entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection, where it is preserved as part of the institution’s holdings on fashion and cultural artifacts, documenting the designer’s contribution to post‑war French style.