Artwork
Lybie
Lybie 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, “Lybie” is a drawing attributed to the collaborative duo Madeleine & Madeleine. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It depicts a single female figure rendered in a restrained line drawing, set against an unadorned background, and includes a fragment of fabric swatch in the lower left corner.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a woman dressed in contemporary 1920s attire: a hat, a long‑sleeved dress cinched at the waist with a belt, and a cummerbund. Her right hand rests lightly on her chin, suggesting a moment of contemplation or poise. The inclusion of a fabric sample hints at an interest in textile design or material culture.
Technique & Style
Executed with clean, confident lines and minimal shading, the drawing exemplifies a simplified yet elegant aesthetic. The decorative sleeve bears a passementerie pattern, rendered through precise line work rather than tonal modeling, emphasizing surface detail over volumetric depth. The overall visual language balances clarity with a subtle sense of refinement.
History & Provenance
Madeleine & Madeleine produced the piece in the early post‑World War I period, a time when fashion and ethnographic interests intersected in European art circles. The drawing entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains catalogued under the title “Lybie.”
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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