Werther was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1958.

Where can I see Werther?

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

Artwork

Werther

Marie-Louise Carven , 1958

Werther 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

Werther is a fashion sketch created by French designer Marie-Louise Carven around 1958. It depicts a woman in a dark, patterned jacket and pants, characterized by loose, expressive lines conveying a sense of movement.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a petite woman with pulled-back hair, dressed in a coordinated dark outfit featuring a small square-patterned jacket and matching pants, paired with simple black shoes. The design reflects Carven's focus on petite women's fashion.

Technique & Style

The sketch employs loose, quick lines to capture dynamism, with light shading used to suggest fabric folds. The overall style is indicative of rapid, expressive fashion design illustration.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1958 by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house (established in 1945), the work is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection. Notably, Carven was an early adopter of prêt-à-porter lines in couture.

Context

Title 'Werther' is noted in the corner, though its significance remains unclear. The piece exemplifies Carven's approach to lightweight fabrics and petite women's fashion, characteristic of her mid-20th-century design ethos.

Legacy

As part of the Museum of Ethnography, 'Werther' contributes to the historical record of mid-20th-century French fashion, specifically the development of prêt-à-porter and design for petite women, reflecting Carven's influential role in these areas.