Artwork
Fumée
Fumée 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 by the design duo Madeleine & Madeleine, this illustration depicts a woman in a flowing tea‑gown. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and is presented as a drawn image, likely intended for a fashion publication of the period.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is shown in a graceful pose, left hand on the hip, wearing a sheer, grey muslin overlay and a matching headband. A large, tawny‑brown flower embroidered on the bodice draws the eye, while the overall composition emphasizes the elegance associated with early‑twentieth‑century tea‑gown attire.
Technique & Style
Rendered in fine line work, the drawing employs tonal variations of grey and brown to suggest the fabric’s lamé texture and the swirling embroidery patterns. The delicate handling of the sheer overlay and the contrast of the dark heel against the light dress illustrate the period’s emphasis on refined, decorative detail.
History & Provenance
The illustration was produced during the height of the 1920s fashion boom and later entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings. Its attribution to Madeleine & Madeleine reflects the collaborative nature of many fashion houses of the era, though little additional documentation on its acquisition is recorded.
Context
The piece reflects the interwar fascination with luxurious yet airy garments, a hallmark of the tea‑gown silhouette that balanced formality with comfort. The use of lamé and muslin, together with tonal embroidery, aligns with contemporary trends that celebrated subtle opulence in everyday wear.
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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