Who painted Sestrière?

Sestrière was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1963.

Where can I see Sestrière?

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

Artwork

Sestrière

Marie-Louise Carven , 1963

Sestrière is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1963 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 1963 by French designer Marie‑Louise Carven, *Sestrière* is a sketch that forms part of the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings. The drawing records a rear view of a woman in a modest black dress, her hair gathered loosely, and includes a marginal note of the title and a small side study of a strap dress.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is presented from behind, emphasizing the silhouette of a simple, ankle‑length black garment. The pose—one hand at the side—conveys a quiet, everyday poise, while the accompanying miniature sketch hints at a design exploration of a strap‑style dress, suggesting the work functions as a preparatory study rather than a finished illustration.

Technique & Style

Carven employed rapid, fluid lines that give the drawing an energetic, unfinished quality. The sketch’s loose strokes capture the drape of the dress and the texture of the hair with minimal detail, reflecting a typical fashion‑design studio practice of quickly visualising concepts on paper.

History & Provenance

Marie‑Louise Carven founded her eponymous fashion house in 1945 and became known for catering to petite clients and for pioneering ready‑to‑wear collections in Paris. *Sestriera* dates from the early 1960s, a period when Carven was expanding her design repertoire, and it later entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection, where it remains accessible to the public.