Who painted Palais de glace?

Palais de glace was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1958.

Where can I see Palais de glace?

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

Artwork

Palais de glace

Marie-Louise Carven , 1958

Palais de glace 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

Palais de glace, created circa 1958, is a fashion sketch by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the House of Carven. The work is part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch depicts a woman in a simple, short-sleeved blue dress with a gathered skirt, shown from the front and rear. The dual view highlights the design’s shape and movement. The title, meaning 'ice palace' in French, may evoke the dress’s light, airy quality.

Technique & Style

Characterized by loose, quick lines, the sketch prioritizes capturing the garment’s overall form and dynamism over intricate detail, reflecting a focus on the dress’s silhouette and flow.

History & Provenance

Created around 1958 by Marie-Louise Carven, a pioneering French couturier known for designing for petite women and early adoption of prêt-à-porter. The piece is now held in the Museum of Ethnography’s collection.

Context

Reflects Carven’s approach to fashion: emphasis on lightweight fabrics (implied by the sketch’s airy depiction), practical yet elegant designs for petite women, and innovative business practices in the mid-20th century fashion industry.