Artwork
691
691 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
This 1924 work by the design duo Madeleine & Madeleine is a fashion sketch rather than a finished garment. Executed in ink and pencil, it depicts a woman in profile, emphasizing the silhouette of a pink crêpe dress adorned with yellow embroidery and a pleated skirt. A fabric sample is affixed to the sheet, reinforcing the drawing’s function as a working design document.
Subject & Meaning
The sketch records a single ensemble in spare, functional lines. The figure’s posture—one hand on the hip—suggests a casual elegance, while the handwritten notation specifies the materials and construction details. Together, image and text capture the technical and aesthetic choices that defined a mid-1920s Parisian day dress.
Technique & Style
Executed with rapid, confident strokes, the drawing balances immediacy and precision. The loose lines convey movement and drape, while the embroidery is indicated schematically, leaving exact patterning to the accompanying notes. The fabric swatch provides a tactile reference, bridging the gap between two-dimensional sketch and three-dimensional garment.
History & Provenance
Created in 1924, the sketch originates from the design house of Madeleine & Madeleine, a Paris-based atelier active during the interwar period. It entered the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is preserved as an example of early twentieth-century fashion illustration and design practice.
Context
The work reflects the sartorial trends of 1920s Paris, where lightweight crêpe fabrics and delicate embroidery were favored for daywear. The address inscribed on the sheet locates the design within the city’s commercial fashion district, underscoring the sketch’s role in the production and dissemination of contemporary style.
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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