Artwork
'Piccador'
'Piccador' is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1951 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. Created in 1951, *Piccador* is a fashion illustration by French designer Marie‑Louise Carven.
About this work
Overview
Set against a stark white background and a simple white railing, the composition emphasizes the silhouette and details of the attire.
Created in 1951, *Piccador* is a fashion illustration by French designer Marie‑Louise Carven. The drawing portrays a woman dressed in a sleek black ensemble, accented with yellow motifs on a jacket, and topped with an oversized round hat that largely conceals her face. Set against a stark white background and a simple white railing, the composition emphasizes the silhouette and details of the attire.
Subject & Meaning
The figure represents a contemporary woman of the early 1950s, embodying Carven’s focus on elegance for petite physiques. The contrast between the dark clothing and the bright backdrop highlights the designer’s interest in striking visual impact, while the concealed facial features suggest an emphasis on clothing as the primary narrative element.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a clean line drawing, the illustration employs minimal shading, relying on bold outlines to define the garment’s structure. The use of a limited palette—predominantly black with a splash of yellow—creates a graphic effect typical of mid‑century fashion sketches, where clarity of form supersedes ornamental detail.
History & Provenance
Marie‑Louise Carven, who founded her eponymous house in 1945, was among the first Parisian couturiers to launch a ready‑to‑wear line. *Piccador* reflects this innovative spirit. The work is part of the Museum of Ethnography’s collection, where it contributes to the broader documentation of fashion’s cultural dimensions.
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
Continue through works from the same source collection.
Robe de mariée festonnée et son voile
Haut blanc à manches courtes et pantalon vert à ceinture nouée
Kapur
Pull-over à manches longues pourpre, bonnet assorti, pantalon et lunettes de soleil
GLAMOUR
'Renardeau'
Pull-over à manches trois quarts et à encolure V à motifs multicolores, pantalon cerise et lunettes de soleil
Béguinage
