Artwork

Jacinthe

Jacinthe, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1951
Jacinthe, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1951

Jacinthe is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1951 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Jacinthe is a fashion sketch created by French designer Marie-Louise Carven around 1951. It depicts a woman in a long, dark, textured dress with a deep V-neck, flared skirt, and belted waist, accompanied by simple accessories. The sketch is characterized by loose brushstrokes and visible shading.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of Jacinthe is a woman dressed in a design emblematic of Carven's focus on petite women and lightweight fabrics. The overall aesthetic conveys elegance and sophistication, reflecting Carven's approach to accessible, high-fashion design.

Technique & Style

The sketch employs a loose, quick drawing style with visible brushstrokes and shading techniques, such as implied cross-hatching, to suggest the texture of woven fabric. The simplicity of the jewelry and the emphasis on the dress's details highlight Carven's design priorities.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1951 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house (established in 1945), Jacinthe is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection. Carven was a pioneer in introducing prêt-à-porter lines among couturiers.

Context

Jacinthe reflects the post-WWII fashion landscape, where designers like Carven catered to the demand for more accessible, yet stylish, clothing. The piece embodies the era's shift towards modernity and practicality in haute couture.

Legacy

As part of Carven's oeuvre, Jacinthe contributes to the historical record of mid-20th-century fashion, highlighting Carven's influence on making high fashion more inclusive for petite women and her role in the prêt-à-porter movement.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Marie-Louise Carven

Artist

Marie-Louise Carven

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.