Pierre Balmain Art
French, 1914-1982
Pierre Balmain founded his now-iconic label in 1945. Alongside fellow couture titans Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy, the French designer's postwar take on luxe dressing featured bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim; he called the look “Jolie Madame.” The Duchess of Windsor was an early fan, prompting an aristocratic following.
From the voluminous skirts of the post-World War II “New Look” favored by Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to the sleek, skinny jeans seen on Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and every Kardashian, clothes from the House of Balmain have long been mainstays in celebrity wardrobes.
The son of a dressmaker and a drapery salesman, Balmain's founder was born in 1914 in southeastern France and formed an interest in fashion at an early age. His mother wanted her son to be an architect — but the principles of design and structure that Pierre learned in his brief studies at the École des Beaux Arts served him well throughout his career.
Balmain was among the first to offer French looks to the American market. Since the death of the founder in 1982, the design reins at the company have been handed to luminaries such as Oscar de la Renta and Olivier Rousteing, an alum of Roberto Cavalli who was installed as creative director at the label in 2011.
Today’s Balmain has more in common with the master’s original haute couture than you might expect: sharply tailored blazers that nip in at the waist, delicate stilettos and ultra-feminine evening dresses are wardrobe basics for the 21st-century woman, too. Lovers of couture history will also prize the fluid, easy sketches from the master’s own hand they’ll find on offer here, while fashionistas clamor for the brand’s t-shirts, military-style jackets and skinny jeans.
Whether you’re a colonel in Rousteing’s “glamour army” or you fancy yourself a “Jolie Madame,” a Balmain piece — from the 1960s or even last season — will add a bold, sexy note to your look. Daytime or night, Balmain feels right now.
Find vintage Pierre Balmain dresses, skirts, scarves and other garments and accessories on 1stDibs.
to
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
97
7,789
5,088
2,504
1,502
1
1
Artist: Pierre Balmain
Pierre Balmain Paris 346 Zig Zag
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Bristol, CT
Original Pierre Balmain (1914-1982) couture fashion hand-coloured plate with 3 fabric swatches attached designed for New York society icon Nan Kempner (1930-2005) circa 1970s
Plate ...
Category
1970s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Fabric
Related Items
Vizzotto Alberti (Venetian realist painter) - early 20th century figure painting
Located in Varmo, IT
Enrico Vizzotto Alberti (Oderzo 1880 - Padua 1976) - The 7th regiment of Milan lancers.
25.5 x 35 cm without frame, 51.5 x 57 cm with frame.
Ancient...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Photo Realistic Diptych Hand Paintings
By Manon Cleary
Located in Washington, DC
Exceptional pair of paintings by Manon Cleary (1942-1911). Paintings are oil on canvas. Dated 1980 and signed in the front lower right corner and on reverse. Manon Cleary's work is ...
Category
1980s Photorealist Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Shepherd in the Pyrenees Spain oil on canvas painting spanish landscape Europe
By Enric Porta Mestre
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Title: Shepherd in the Pyrenees
Artist: Enric Porta i Mestre (1898–1993)
Technique: Oil on canvas
Style: Post-Impressionism with Expressionist influences
Dimensions:
Unframed: 23.6 x 31.9 in
Framed: 29.9 x 38.2 in
Signature: Signed in the lower right corner as "E. Porta".
Date: 1956 (according to the inscription on the back).
DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK
Shepherd in the Pyrenees by Enric Porta i Mestre depicts a rural scene with a striking sense of introspection and evocative charm. The painting portrays a shepherd tending to his flock amidst the mountainous landscape typical of the Catalan Pyrenees. The composition captures the serenity and beauty of nature through vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes.
The work reflects a Post-Impressionist style with loose, bold strokes and vivid tones, combined with Expressionist influences in its ability to evoke emotions beyond the physical depiction. The energetic and textured brushwork infuses the painting with a lively rhythm, while the rich palette of greens and blues immerses the viewer in the landscape's tranquil atmosphere.
In this piece, Porta i Mestre showcases a mastery of color and light, illustrating his deep connection to his homeland and its rural life, which served as a source of inspiration throughout his career.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Enric Porta i Mestre (La Pobla de Segur, 1898–1993) was a Catalan painter known for his landscapes, still lifes, and costumbrist depictions. Trained in Lleida and Barcelona, Porta debuted in 1922 with an exhibition in the Catalan capital. He later moved to Paris to further his artistic studies, where he connected with avant-garde artists such as Miquel Villà...
Category
1950s Post-Impressionist Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Soup Box - Onion (unique painting on canvas)
By Andy Warhol
Located in Aventura, FL
Unique acrylic painting and silkscreen on canvas. Hand signed and dated by Andy Warhol on verso. Martin Lawrence provenance label on verso. Canvas size 20 x 20 inches.
The artwor...
Category
1980s Pop Art Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Screen, Canvas, Acrylic
Holy Family with the Infant St. John the Baptist
Located in New York, NY
Lubin Baugin
(Pithiviers 1610 – 1663 Paris)
Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist
Oil on canvas
22 x 42 ¼ inches (55.9 x 107.3 cm)
Provenance:
Marcello and Carlo ...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Malvern Sunset by Eleanor Woolley, Contemporary art, Original painting
Located in Deddington, GB
Malvern Sunset by Eleanor Woolley [June 2021]
original and hand signed by the artist
Oil Paint on Canvas
Image size: H:50 cm x W:50 cm
Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:50 cm x W:50...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 1.38 in
Carlos Nadal, Pont de Ville
By Carlos Nadal
Located in Madrid, ES
CARLOS NADAL
Spanish, 1917 - 1998
PONT DE VILLE
signed "Nadal" (lower right)
titled, signed and dated "PONT DE VILLE / Nadal / 1981" (on the reverse)
with the atelier stamp (on the r...
Category
1980s Fauvist Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Year 1975. Still life. Between Pop Art and Radical Avant-gardes in Florence.
Located in Firenze, IT
Year 1975. Still life.
Between Pop Art and radical avant-gardes in Florence.
Oil painting on canvas.
Size: cm 71x 71
Signed and dated lower right Andrea Chiarantini.`75
The paintin...
Category
1970s Pop Art Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Andrea ChiarantiniYear 1975. Still life. Between Pop Art and Radical Avant-gardes in Florence., 1975
H 27.96 in W 27.96 in D 0.79 in
In the move of dance II
Located in Zofingen, AG
In this oil painting, I've captured the ethereal beauty and dynamism of a ballerina in mid-dance. Using a blend of realism and fine art, I aimed to convey the raw emotion and fluid grace of the dance. The dancer...
Category
2010s Realist Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Three Angels
By Domenico Piola the Elder
Located in New York, NY
Provenance:
Robert L. and Bertina Suida Manning, New York, until 1996
Private Collection, USA
One of the leading artists in Genoa during the second half of the seventeenth century, Domenico Piola came from a successful family of artists, renowned for their many illusionistic ceiling programs throughout Genoese churches and palaces. A prolific draughtsman and painter, Domenico oversaw an extremely productive studio. In addition to his collaborations with numerous other artists, Domenico also provided many designs for book illustrations and prints that circulated throughout Europe, earning him international exposure and high acclaim in his own day.
As Dr. Anna Orlando has indicated (written communication), the present work is an early work by Piola, datable from the late 1640s. At this time the young artist came strongly under the influence of Castiglione and Valerio Castello, while admiring the works of Giulio Cesare Procaccini. Piola’s works from this period are exuberant and fluid, and the artist’s love of portraying children is evident from the angels and putti that populate both his altarpieces and more intimate paintings.
The present work depicts three angels...
Category
17th Century Baroque Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Family” Oil Painting 25.5" x 25.5" inch by Katherine Bakhoum Tisné
By Katherine Bakhoum-Tisné
Located in Culver City, CA
"Family” Oil Painting 25.5" x 25.5" inch by Katherine Bakhoum Tisné
Katherine Bakhoum represents art that has been forgotten for a long while. She draws upon the concept and the sub...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
H 25.5 in W 25.5 in D 1 in
Couple 2 - Contemporary Figurative Oil Painting, Joyful, Sun, Beach, Sunbathing
By Julita Malinowska
Located in Salzburg, AT
Artodyssey:
"Julita Malinowska's paintings belong to those, which once seen - are never forgotten. The open spaces, sometimes cool and bright, at other times heavily saturated with c...
Category
2010s Contemporary Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Canvas, Oil
H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 0.79 in
Previously Available Items
"Pierre Balmain Paris 122 Chantilly"
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Bristol, CT
Chic original watercolour couture fashion sketch replete w/ lace fabric swatch & note attached (LL) from the Paris atelier of Pierre Balmain
c1960s
Plate Sz: 12"H x 8 1/4"W
Frame...
Category
1960s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Watercolor
Vintage Balmain French Fashion Sketch - Couture Coat, c. 1960
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Original haute couture sketch of a blue and yellow coat by Parisian designer Pierre Balmain, circa 1960, featuring fascinating design details, suc...
Category
1960s Contemporary Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Paper, Ink, Gouache
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
Vintage Balmain French Fashion Sketch - Couture Tennis Dress, c. 1960
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Original haute couture sketch of a tennis dress by Parisian designer Pierre Balmain, circa 1960, featuring a striking visual contrast between bold...
Category
1960s Contemporary Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Paper, Ink, Gouache
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
Pierre Balmain Paris 433 Bangkok
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Bristol, CT
Chic original couture fashion plate by Pierre Balmain designed for the New York socialite, Nan Kempner (1930-2005) replete w/ two silk swatches circa 1970s
Plate Sz: 12.25"H x 8.25"...
Category
1970s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache
Pierre Balmain Paris 122 Chantilly
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Bristol, CT
Chic original watercolour couture fashion sketch replete w/ lace fabric swatch & note attached (LL) from the Paris atelier of Pierre Balmain c1960s!
Plate: 12 1/4"H x 8 1/4"W
Frame: 16 3/4"H x 13"W
Fashion Designer Bio:
Perre Alexandre Claudius Balmain (1914-1982) was a well-known designer from France and the founder of Balmain fashion house. He was and still is known for his elegance and sophistication.
Balmain studied architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts, but he spent most of his time designing apparel. From 1934-1939 Balmain worked with Edward Molyneux (fashion designer) who offered him a trial. Balmain then worked after the War with Lucien Lelong and established his own fashion house that displayed bell-shaped and small waist skirts. This was a look that became famous later on through the brand Christian Dior. A family friend, Gertrude Stein wrote a commemorative piece on Balmain for Vogue magazine and following this an order was placed by the Duchess of Windsor.
By 1951, Balmain opened various branches of his label across America to sell his prêt-a-porter collections. During this time, he popularized some unique trends such as stoles, evening wear and he made sheath dresses with jackets a fad in the fashion market. He was talented in creating both simple and extravagant clothes, all with the similar aesthetics of graceful and slender lines. Pierre Balmain also created fragrances.
For his astounding creations and designs, he was nominated for Best Costume Designer by the Tony Award and Balmain received the Drama Desk Award for designing outstanding costumes for Happy New Year Broadway production in 1980. He designed costumes for Sophia Loren for The Millionaires, 1960 and Josephine Baker for her eponymous revue, 1964. He designed costumes for sixteen films and designed clothes for actresses Mae West and Vivien Leigh.
His classic couture dresses are still chic and sought after among international movie stars and socialites such as Kristin Davis...
Category
Mid-20th Century Other Art Style Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Watercolor
Balmain Fashion Sketch
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
French haute couture sketch by Balmain fashion house, circa 1960.
Original artwork on paper displayed on a white mat with a gold border. Mat fits...
Category
1960s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Watercolor, Pencil
Vintage Balmain Fashion Sketch - Navy Dress Suit
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage gouache and pencil French fashion sketch of a elegant cress suit in navy blue by the famed Balmain Fashion House of Paris, circa 1960.
Original artwork on paper displaye...
Category
1950s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache, Paper, Pencil
Vintage Balmain French Fashion Sketch - Lime Green Summer Dress
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage gouache and pencil French fashion sketch of a casual summer dress in a bold lime green hue by the famed Balmain Fashion House of Paris, c...
Category
1960s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache, Pencil
H 16 in W 0.1 in D 20 in
Vintage Balmain Mini Dresses Fashion Sketch
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Excellent one-of-a-kind gouache and ink fashion sketch of several variations of a casual mini dress by the French haute couture Balmain Fashion house of Paris, circa 1960.
Origina...
Category
1950s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache, Paper
Vintage Balmain Spots & Stripes Fashion Sketch
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Charming one-of-a-kind gouache and ink fashion sketch of three variations of a sleeveless navy top by the haute couture Balmain Fashion House of Paris, circa 1960. Fabric swatch atta...
Category
1950s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache, Ink, Paper
Vintage Balmain Fashion Sketch - Lime Green Blazer
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage one-of-a-kind French watercolor and ink fashion sketch of a sporty, short sleeve blazer in lime green by the Parisian Balmain fashion house, circa 1960.
Original artwork ...
Category
1960s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Ink, Paper, Watercolor
H 16 in W 0.1 in D 20 in
Vintage Balmain Gouache Fashion Sketch - Red Dress Suit
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage one-of-a-kind haute couture gouache fashion sketch of a vivid red dress suit by the Parisian Balmain Fashion House, circa 1960.
Original artwork on paper displayed on a wh...
Category
1960s Pierre Balmain Art
Materials
Gouache, Paper
H 12 in W 0.1 in D 16 in
Pierre Balmain art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Pierre Balmain art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Pierre Balmain in paint, watercolor, fabric and more. Not every interior allows for large Pierre Balmain art, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Pierre Ambrogiani, Paul Henry Bony, and Eliane Diverly. Pierre Balmain art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $950, while the average work can sell for $950.
Artists Similar to Pierre Balmain
Questions About Pierre Balmain Art
- Where are Balmain shoes made?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Balmain makes most of its shoes at carefully vetted factories in China that are experienced in producing luxury footwear. In the past, Balmain manufactured its shoes in France and Italy. On 1stDibs, you can shop a collection of Balmain shoes.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022While Balmain footwear is designed in France, the majority of Balmain shoes are made in China. Some of the brand’s leather styles are crafted in Italy. Shop a collection of Balmain footwear from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 13, 2024Pierre Balmain was the founder of Balmain, an iconic haute couture house based in Paris, France. Under creative director Olivier Rousteing, the brand introduced an affordable diffusion line named for its founder in 2011.
In the postwar years, Balmain became known for bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim. Pierre died in 1982, and the company is now owned by Mayhoola for Investments.
From the dresses favored by Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to the sleek, skinny jeans seen on Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and every Kardashian, clothes from the House of Balmain have long been mainstays in celebrity wardrobes.
Shop a collection of vintage Balmain from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Pierre Balmain was a French fashion designer most known for founding his fashion house Balmain. Balmain’s designs are described as sophisticated and elegant, and remain one of the most sought after garments in high-fashion. Find vintage and contemporary Balmain designs from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- How do Pierre Balmain jeans fit?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 28, 2024Pierre Balmain jeans tend to run true to size. The brand provides a size chart/“fit predictor” on its official website. It is recommended that you make use of the size chart before you make your purchase on the site. Balmain was founded in 1945 by Pierre and is now known by the French designer’s surname. On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Pierre Balmain clothing.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 13, 2024Balmain is the name of a luxury brand founded by French couturier Pierre Balmain in 1945. Pierre Balmain is also the name of one of Balmain’s diffusion lines.
Launched in 2011 under Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing, the diffusion line was largely inclusive of apparel intended for casual wear and offered at affordable price points. It targeted a younger segment of buyers.
Shop a collection of vintage Balmain on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To tell if a Pierre Balmain vintage bag is authentic, first check the hardware. Balmain often stamped the brand name onto zipper pulls and fasteners. The lettering should appear crisp and evenly spaced. Balmain's tags changed greatly over time. Compare the ones in your bag to images of authenticated pieces available online. Shop a range of expertly vetted Pierre Balmain bags on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are a few ways to tell if your vintage Pierre Balmain is real. Authentic Pierre Balmain bags are made with brand tags, authenticity labels and serial numbers. Always purchase Balmain jackets from a reputable seller to ensure authenticity. Shop a collection of authentic Pierre Balmain from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.