Artwork
Manteau bleu pétrole

Manteau bleu pétrole is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1959 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Manteau bleu pétrole, created circa 1959 by French fashion designer Marie-Louise Carven, is a visual representation of a woman's dark blue dress. The work is housed in the Museum of Ethnography.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a woman in a full-skirted, dark blue dress with a framing collar, depicted in a dynamic pose suggesting movement. The image embodies the elegance and sophistication of its era.
Technique & Style
The dress is rendered in a smooth fabric, potentially silk or cotton, with accompanying details such as a bobbed hairstyle and high heels. A smaller inset drawing shows the dress's back.
History & Provenance
Created around 1959 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of her eponymous fashion house in 1945, the work reflects her approach to design, particularly for petite women and early prêt-à-porter.
Context
Manteau bleu pétrole contextualizes mid-20th-century French fashion, highlighting Carven's emphasis on lightweight fabrics and tailored designs for smaller frames.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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