Who painted Grain de riz?

Grain de riz was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1952.

Where can I see Grain de riz?

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

Artwork

Grain de riz

Marie-Louise Carven , 1952

Grain de riz 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

Grain de riz, created circa 1952 by French fashion designer Marie-Louise Carven, is a fashion sketch featuring a woman in a simple white dress with a deep V-neck and textured fabric, rendered against a plain dark gray background with quick, loose lines.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a woman in a minimalist white dress with a deep V-neck and arms crossed, emphasizing comfort and simplicity. The 'grain de riz' (grain of rice) title references the dress’s tiny, dotted texture, suggesting delicacy and lightness, consistent with Carven’s focus on lightweight fabrics for petite women.

Technique & Style

The sketch employs quick, loose lines for the figure, contrasting with the slightly textured, dotted pattern on the dress. The overall style is simplistic, with a focus on the garment’s design and texture, set against a nondescript dark gray background.

History & Provenance

Created around 1952 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house (established in 1945), Grain de riz is part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection, reflecting Carven’s pioneering work in prêt-à-porter and her design aesthetic.