Artwork
L'eventail
L'eventail 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 artistic duo Madeleine & Madeleine, L’eventail is a graphic work held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition centers on a solitary female figure rendered in stark black‑and‑white contrast, set against an unadorned backdrop that emphasizes the graphic quality of the drawing.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a woman dressed in a long, dark garment marked by white swirling motifs, her hair gathered back, and a small, round fan delicately clasped in one hand. A single red feather trails from her heel, introducing a subtle accent of colour that draws attention to her poised yet understated presence.
Technique & Style
Executed with simple, linear outlines and flat areas of colour, the drawing employs a sketch‑like approach that foregrounds pattern over three‑dimensional modelling. The stark monochrome palette is punctuated by the isolated red feather, while the fan, though diminutive, receives careful detailing, illustrating the artists’ interest in decorative surface treatment.
History & Provenance
Since its completion in the early 1920s, L’eventail has remained within institutional holdings, eventually entering the Museum of Ethnography’s archives. The work’s provenance reflects the museum’s broader acquisition strategy of early twentieth‑century graphic art that intersects with ethnographic themes.
Context
The piece emerges from a period when European artists were increasingly exploring non‑Western motifs and stylised ornamentation. The use of a fan—a common object in many cultural dress codes—alongside abstracted patterning aligns the work with contemporary dialogues about cultural exchange and visual abstraction.
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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