Artwork
Dalila
Dalila 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
Dalila is an image created in 1924 by the collaborative duo known as Madeleine & Madeleine. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. Rendered as a quick sketch, it captures a fashionable woman in a sleek black dress, emphasizing the silhouette and accessories rather than detailed background.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing portrays a woman dressed in a form‑fitting black gown with a low neckline, a sheer skirt patterned underneath, and long pearl beads that accent her neck. She wears black heels, her hair cut in a short, wavy bob, and minimal makeup, suggesting a focus on contemporary style and elegance rather than narrative content.
Technique & Style
Executed with loose, gestural lines, the image relies on cross‑hatching to model form and create tonal variation. The artist’s hand appears swift, prioritizing the overall impression of clothing and posture over precise detail. This approach highlights the fashion elements while maintaining a sense of immediacy and spontaneity in the rendering.
History & Provenance
Signed at the bottom with "Madeleine & Madeleine," the work bears the title Dalila at its top. Since its creation in 1924, the piece has remained in the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings, where it is displayed as an example of early twentieth‑century fashion illustration within the institution’s ethnographic context.
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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