Who painted Mauresque?

Mauresque was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1958.

Where can I see Mauresque?

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

Artwork

Mauresque

Marie-Louise Carven , 1958

Mauresque 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

Mauresque is a fashion illustration from around 1958, attributed to French designer Marie-Louise Carven. The piece features a drawing of a woman in a dress, alongside a smaller illustration of the dress's back, rendered in shades of brown on a beige background.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a petite woman with short hair, wearing a dress with a square neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a belted waist, paired with high heels. The illustration showcases Carven's design aesthetic, tailored for smaller frames and emphasizing lightweight, potentially luxurious fabrics (implied by the style, though not directly visible).

Technique & Style

Executed in various browns on beige, the illustration's monochromatic palette and detailed rendering reflect the conventions of mid-20th-century fashion drawing. The inclusion of both front and back views highlights the designer's attention to overall garment design.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1958 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of her eponymous fashion house (established in 1945) and a pioneer of Paris's early ready-to-wear lines. The work is currently part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.

Context

Mauresque sits within the broader context of 1950s Parisian fashion, characterized by the rise of prêt-à-porter and designs catering to a broader, petite clientele—a niche Carven's house successfully targeted.