Artwork
Chaim
Chaim 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, “Chaim” is a drawing attributed to the collaborative duo Madeleine & Madeleine. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of early twentieth‑century portraiture that incorporates elements of fashion illustration.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a woman dressed in contemporary 1920s attire: a wide‑brimmed hat, a buttoned long coat, a short skirt cinched with a decorative belt, and low‑heeled pointed shoes. She holds a cane, suggesting a poised, perhaps urban, presence. The composition captures the era’s fascination with modern femininity and the social signals conveyed through dress.
Technique & Style
Rendered as a drawing, the piece combines line work with areas of shading to define the figure’s form and clothing texture. A small fabric swatch is affixed in the top‑right corner, serving both as a visual reference and as a material sample, a practice occasionally employed by artists to document textile patterns within their compositions.
History & Provenance
Madeleine & Madeleine produced “Chaim” during a period of heightened interest in documenting contemporary life through graphic media. Since its creation, the drawing has remained within institutional holdings, eventually entering the Museum of Ethnography’s collection, where it contributes to the museum’s narrative of cultural and sartorial history.
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
Continue through works from the same source collection.
![Sans le v[illisible], by Madeleine & Madeleine](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/madeleine-madeleine--sans-le-v-illisible--8212b979ada6b65a-w320.webp)
