Artwork
'Saukala'
'Saukala' is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1949 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. The work titled “Saukala,” executed in 1949, is a modestly rendered drawing that resides in the Museum of Ethnography.
About this work
Overview
The work titled “Saukala,” executed in 1949, is a modestly rendered drawing that resides in the Museum of Ethnography. It presents a solitary female figure dressed in a loose, knee‑length garment featuring a vivid plaid pattern of red, blue and yellow, complemented by a wide‑brimmed hat adorned with a single flower. The artist’s signature appears at the lower edge of the sheet.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a contemporary woman, emphasizing everyday attire rather than idealized form. The plain belt and short sleeves suggest practicality, while the bright checks and floral hat hint at a playful engagement with fashion trends of the late 1940s.
Technique & Style
Rendered with light pencil strokes and brief washes of color, the drawing conveys immediacy and spontaneity. The limited palette and swift execution underline a sketch‑like quality, allowing the pattern of the dress to dominate the visual field without elaborate modeling.
History & Provenance
Created by Marie‑Louise Carven—born Carmen de Tommaso—shortly after she founded her eponymous fashion house in 1945, the piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection sometime after its completion. Carven’s dual career as a designer and visual artist situates the drawing within her broader creative output.
Context
At the time of the drawing’s production, Carven was establishing a reputation for designing lightweight garments for petite women, employing fabrics such as lace and gingham. Her interest in accessible fashion, including early ready‑to‑wear lines, informs the informal, everyday quality of the depicted attire.
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
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GLAMOUR
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Pull-over à manches trois quarts et à encolure V à motifs multicolores, pantalon cerise et lunettes de soleil
Béguinage
