Silhouette Portraits

By SHANNON CARR
Museum Assistant

Before the invention of the camera, there were basically two options for having a portrait made of a friend or family member: you could pay for an expensive painted portrait or you could visit a local silhouette artist for a more economical option.

From 1790 to 1840, silhouettes were an extremely popular art form in America. Usually cut from black paper and placed on a white background, silhouettes typically depict a side view or profile of the subject. A skilled silhouette artist could finish the portrait within minutes, carving specialized details using only a pair of scissors.

Making silhouettes at our sister site, the George Ranch Historical Park.

The term "silhouette" is attributed to a man named Etienne de Silhouette, a finance minister living in France during the mid-18th century. One of Etienne’s favorite hobbies was to create small and detailed images for friends and family using only scissors and paper. The art form's relatively cheap cost and few required supplies only encouraged Etienne’s enthusiasm for silhouette art and portraits. (He was a finance manager, after all!)

The invention of the camera in 1816 caused a decline in popularity for silhouette portraits. However, there has recently been a resurgence of admiration for the art -- so why not try your hand at this fun and inexpensive craft?!

Make Your Own Silhouette Portraits

Etienne de Silhouette, https://bookshelf.mml.ox.ac.uk/2015/09/23/great-french-lives-etienne-de-silhouette/

Materials:

• Black cardstock or construction paper
• Background paper (any color or pattern)
• Printer paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Camera
• Computer & printer
  

Instructions:

• Take a profile (side-view) picture of your subject.
• Upload your picture onto the computer and crop the photo from the chest up.
• Change the contrast of the photo to high black and white. This will make it easier to trace and expose fine details.
• Print your edited photo and cut out your image.
• Trace the image onto black cardstock, then cut it out. Glue the profile onto your background paper.

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How did your portraits turn out? Tag us on Facebook or Instagram so we can see your creations!