Who painted Madrilène?

Madrilène was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1958.

Where can I see Madrilène?

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

Artwork

Madrilène

Marie-Louise Carven , 1958

Madrilène is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1958 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Madrilène is a fashion sketch created by French couturier Marie-Louise Carven around 1958. It depicts a woman wearing a sleek black dress with a fitted bodice and flared skirt, accompanied by a smaller rear-view sketch. The piece is now part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of Madrilène is a woman modeled in a quintessential Carven design for petite women, characterized by a tailored, feminine silhouette. The name 'Madrilène' suggests a thematic or stylistic inspiration linked to Madrid.

Technique & Style

Executed in a loose yet precise drawing style, Madrilène emphasizes shape and movement. The textured appearance of the dress fabric is hinted at through the sketch’s rendering, though the medium used for the original work is not specified here.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1958 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house (established in 1945), Madrilène reflects the designer’s pioneering work in both couture and prêt-à-porter. The sketch is currently held in the Museum of Ethnography’s collection.

Context

Madrilène sits within the broader context of 1950s French fashion, highlighting Carven’s contribution to designing for petite women and her influence on accessible, high-fashion clothing through her early adoption of prêt-à-porter lines.

Legacy

As part of Carven’s oeuvre, Madrilène contributes to the historical record of French couture’s evolution, particularly in its representation of designs catering to petite women and the transition towards more accessible fashion formats.