Who painted Réglisse?

Réglisse was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1958.

Where can I see Réglisse?

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

Artwork

Réglisse

Marie-Louise Carven , 1958

Réglisse 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

The figure’s bobbed hair and high‑heeled shoes complete the look, offering a concise visual record of mid‑century women's attire.

Created circa 1958, Réglisse is a fashion illustration by French designer Marie‑Louise Carven. The image depicts a woman in a coordinated brown and white ensemble, consisting of a full‑skirted dress with a fitted bodice and a matching jacket featuring a collared, buttoned front. The figure’s bobbed hair and high‑heeled shoes complete the look, offering a concise visual record of mid‑century women's attire.

Subject & Meaning

The illustration presents a stylized yet recognizable portrait of a 1950s woman, emphasizing elegance through simplicity. The contrast of brown and white highlights the garment’s structure, while the poised stance and refined accessories suggest the era’s ideals of femininity and modernity, reflecting Carven’s focus on lightweight, flattering designs for petite figures.

Technique & Style

Rendered with clean, unembellished lines, the drawing relies on minimal shading to define form. The limited palette of brown and white creates visual contrast without overwhelming detail, allowing the silhouette and tailoring to dominate. This restrained approach mirrors the functional aesthetic of Carven’s ready‑to‑wear collections, where clarity of design was paramount.

History & Provenance

Marie‑Louise Carven founded her eponymous fashion house in 1945 and was among the first Parisian couturiers to launch ready‑to‑wear lines. Réglisse, produced around 1958, exemplifies her design ethos. The illustration is now part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography, where it contributes to the documentation of post‑war fashion development.

Context

The late 1950s marked a shift toward accessible fashion, with designers like Carven bridging haute couture and mass‑market clothing. Réglisse reflects this transition, showcasing a garment that is both sophisticated and suitable for everyday wear, aligning with broader trends toward practicality and the growing consumer appetite for ready‑to‑wear attire.