Who painted Saint Michel?

Saint Michel was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1955.

Where can I see Saint Michel?

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

Artwork

Saint Michel

Marie-Louise Carven , 1955

Saint Michel is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1955 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

This sketch shows a woman in a simple, dark navy dress with a fitted waist and buttons running down the front.

This sketch shows a woman in a simple, dark navy dress with a fitted waist and buttons running down the front. Her arms are relaxed at her sides, and she wears low-heeled shoes. The lines are loose but confident, with quick strokes for the face and hair.

The name "Saint Michel" is written in the top right corner, but we don’t know why. The dress looks like something from the mid-20th century, with clean, modern lines.

Look up Marie-Louise Carven next to see more of her work.

Overview

Created around 1955, *Saint Michel* is a drawing by French couturier Marie‑Louise Carven. Though Carven is chiefly celebrated for her fashion innovations, this work diverges into a religious motif and now belongs to the Museum of Ethnography’s collection. The image portrays a solitary female figure dressed in a dark navy, mid‑century garment, rendered with assured, fluid lines.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a woman in a simple, navy dress with a fitted waist and a row of front buttons, standing with relaxed arms and low‑heeled shoes. While the title *Saint Michel* suggests a reference to the archangel, the figure’s ordinary attire and neutral pose leave the connection ambiguous, inviting viewers to contemplate a secular embodiment of a sacred name.

Technique & Style

Carven’s sketch employs loose yet confident strokes, especially in the facial features and hair, conveying immediacy. The garment’s clean, modern silhouette reflects mid‑20th‑century fashion sensibilities, while the overall drawing balances minimal detail with a clear sense of form, characteristic of a designer’s quick study rather than a finished fine‑art piece.

History & Provenance

Marie‑Louise Carven founded her eponymous fashion house in 1945 and later pioneered one of the first ready‑to‑wear lines among Parisian couturiers. *Saint Michel* emerged during this innovative period, illustrating her artistic range beyond clothing design. The work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings, where it is displayed alongside other cultural artifacts, highlighting the crossover between fashion and visual art.