Artwork
'Ondine'
'Ondine' is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1949 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. Created in 1949, Ondine is a fashion illustration by French designer Marie‑Louise Carven.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1949, Ondine is a fashion illustration by French designer Marie‑Louise Carven. The image depicts a woman in a dark blue, striped dress, captured mid‑movement with her torso turned to the right and her gaze directed leftward. The figure’s bobbed hair, high‑heeled shoes and the billowing skirt convey a poised, refined presence.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a solitary female figure whose elegant posture and flowing attire suggest both grace and a subtle theatricality. The contrast between the dark fabric and the white wave‑like stripes may allude to water motifs, reinforcing the title’s reference to a water spirit while emphasizing movement and lightness.
Technique & Style
Carven employs a clear, graphic line to outline the silhouette, while the use of color is restrained to a limited palette of deep blue and white. The rendering of the dress’s fabric suggests a lightweight material caught by a breeze, highlighting the designer’s interest in fluid, airy constructions characteristic of her couture work.
History & Provenance
Marie‑Louise Carven, who founded her eponymous fashion house in 1945, was among the early Parisian couturiers to venture into ready‑to‑wear collections. Ondine reflects this innovative spirit. The illustration is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is preserved as an example of mid‑20th‑century fashion illustration.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marie-Louise Carven (31 August 1909 – 8 June 2015), born Carmen de Tommaso, was a French fashion designer who founded the house of Carven in 1945.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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GLAMOUR
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Béguinage
