Artwork
620
620 is a drawing by Madeleine & Madeleine. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1924, this image documents a women’s garment rendered by the collaborative duo known as Madeleine & Madeleine. The drawing is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It records the construction of a light, semi‑transparent dress featuring a fitted white bodice, a striped skirt, and a multicolored ribbon belt tied in a side bow.
Subject & Meaning
The sketch focuses on the dress’s structural elements: a real‑lace corsage, hand‑embroidered skirt panels, and gathered pleats. A small blue swatch appears in the upper corner, likely indicating a fabric sample. The work serves as a visual study of the garment’s design rather than a narrative scene, emphasizing materiality and tailoring.
Technique & Style
Executed in a rapid, gestural hand, the drawing resembles a fashion illustration rather than a finished rendering. Loose lines convey the translucency of the organdy fabric, while the belt’s ribbons are suggested with quick strokes that hint at their varied colours. French annotations accompany the image, noting specific textile details such as true lace and embroidery.
History & Provenance
The piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of its early‑20th‑century fashion archive. It reflects the period’s interest in documenting clothing construction for ethnographic and design research. The attribution to Madeleine & Madeleine, a partnership known for precise yet playful sketches, situates the work within their broader output of garment studies.
Artist & collection
Artist
These artists left a small but striking set of 1924 drawings and designs that mix fashion and line.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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