Who painted 'Grande ours'?

'Grande ours' was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1949.

Where can I see 'Grande ours'?

'Grande ours' is held by Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

Artwork

'Grande ours'

Marie-Louise Carven , 1949

'Grande ours' is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1949 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Grande ours is a fashion sketch created by French fashion designer Marie-Louise Carven around 1949. The work, characterized by loose lines and bold shading, depicts a woman in a long, dark coat with a prominent fur collar.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a woman shown in a dynamic pose, arms outstretched, holding an unspecified object in her right hand. The title 'Grande ours' (Big Bear) references the coat's fur collar, suggesting an emphasis on this luxurious detail.

Technique & Style

Executed in a quick, sketchy manner, the piece features bold black lines and minimal light shading, indicative of a preliminary fashion study rather than a finished portrait.

History & Provenance

Created by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the House of Carven (established in 1945), the sketch is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Context

Reflecting Carven's approach to design, the sketch may relate to her innovations in prêt-à-porter and her focus on petite women, though the specific connection to these aspects of her work is not immediately clear from the image alone.

Legacy

As part of Carven's oeuvre, 'Grande ours' contributes to the historical record of mid-20th-century French fashion, particularly the transition towards more accessible, ready-to-wear designs.