Artwork

Premier bal

Premier bal, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1955
Premier bal, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1955

Premier bal is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1955 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Premier bal, created circa 1955, is a fashion illustration by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house. The work focuses on a woman's formal attire, emphasizing the dress's design.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a woman, unseen from the waist down, with her face obscured. The primary focus is her red and white formal dress, conveying elegance and poise through its depiction.

Technique & Style

The illustration contrasts red and white to highlight the dress's details, such as a red bow at the neckline. The plain background further emphasizes the garment, typical of fashion illustrations prioritizing the design.

History & Provenance

Created by Marie-Louise Carven, a pioneering couturier known for petite women's fashion and innovations like the first push-up bra patent, the piece is now held in the Museum of Ethnography.

Context

Premier bal reflects Carven's influence in mid-20th-century fashion, particularly in petite women's and ready-to-wear markets, though its placement in an ethnography museum suggests an interpretive shift towards cultural artifact.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of Premier bal are not highlighted, it represents Carven's contribution to fashion history, notably in design for petite frames and accessible, lightweight fashion elements.

Béatrice
Béatrice, Marie-Louise Carven

Artist & collection

Portrait of Marie-Louise Carven

Artist

Marie-Louise Carven

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.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Premier bal?

Premier bal was painted by Marie-Louise Carven in 1955.

Where can I see Premier bal?

Premier bal is held by Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.