Who painted Passe-passe?

Passe-passe was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1962.

Where can I see Passe-passe?

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

Artwork

Passe-passe

Marie-Louise Carven , 1962

Passe-passe is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1962 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1962 by French designer Marie‑Louise Carven, *Passe‑passe* is a fashion illustration depicting a woman in an elegant, flowing gown. The drawing is part of the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings and exemplifies Carven’s interest in lightweight, airy garments suited to petite figures.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is shown in a long, brown dress accented with gold motifs, a voluminous ruffled skirt, and puffed sleeves gathered at the elbows. Her hair is styled in a loose bun and she rests a hand on her hip, conveying a poised yet relaxed demeanor. The title, placed in the corner, suggests a playful, fleeting quality, perhaps alluding to the swift transformation of ideas in fashion design.

Technique & Style

Carven employs loose, sketchy lines and cross‑hatching to suggest form and texture, giving the drawing an improvisational feel. The use of fluid strokes captures the movement of the fabric, while the subtle shading conveys depth without overwhelming detail, reflecting mid‑century illustration practices in couture houses.

History & Provenance

Marie‑Louise Carven founded her eponymous fashion house in 1945 and was among the early couturiers to launch a ready‑to‑wear line. *Passe‑passe* was produced during a period when she was expanding her brand’s visual identity. The work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection, where it remains accessible for study of post‑war French fashion illustration.