Artwork
Ele
Ele 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, “Ele” is a graphic work attributed to the collaborative duo known as Madeleine & Madeleine. The piece is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of early twentieth‑century visual culture that intersects fashion illustration and decorative drawing.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a woman dressed in a streamlined, azure garment accented by a vivid scarlet beret. She adopts a self‑assured stance, one hand placed on her hip and the other gripping a slender cane, suggesting poise and modernity. A miniature sketch of the coat appears in the lower corner, hinting at the work’s possible function as a fashion reference.
Technique & Style
Rendered with crisp, angular lines, the drawing emphasizes contrast between the cool blue of the attire and the striking red of the headwear. The background is rendered in a flat, unadorned field, allowing the bold coloration and geometric forms to dominate the composition. The overall aesthetic reflects the streamlined visual language associated with 1920s avant‑garde illustration.
History & Provenance
The work bears the artists’ signature and a Parisian address at its base, indicating its origin within the French capital’s creative milieu. Since its creation, “Ele” has remained in the custody of the Museum of Ethnography, where it was acquired as part of the institution’s effort to document cross‑cultural visual artifacts from the early twentieth century.
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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