Spirale was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1952.

Where can I see Spirale?

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

Artwork

Spirale

Marie-Louise Carven , 1952

Spirale is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1952 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 1952 by French designer Marie‑Louise Carven, *Spirale* is a black‑and‑white drawing that captures a woman in a sleek coat and flared skirt, holding a yellow cigarette holder. The composition is set against an unadorned background, allowing the stark lines and contrasting colors to dominate the visual field.

Subject & Meaning

The figure’s pose—hand on hip, head tipped toward the cigarette holder—conveys a poised, modern femininity typical of early 1950s Parisian fashion. The title, placed in the corner, alludes to the spiral motion suggested by the curve of the coat and the fluidity of the subject’s stance.

Technique & Style

Rendered with quick, loose strokes, the drawing displays visible brushwork and occasional smudges that emphasize its immediacy. Bold outlines define the silhouette, while the limited palette of black, white, and a splash of yellow heightens the graphic impact, reflecting Carven’s affinity for lightweight, streamlined design.

History & Provenance

*Spirale* belongs to the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. Carven, who founded her eponymous fashion house in 1945, was among the first Paris couturiers to launch a ready‑to‑wear line, and this work exemplifies her early post‑war aesthetic.