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Silhouette Prints

The silhouette is a tradition that emerged in European art in the 18th and 19th centuries, and involves reproducing the outline of a sitter's face or bust. The tradition was started by Johann Caspar Lavater, a scientist interested in the study of physiognomy, or the idea that the face is a reflection of individual character traits.

Successful artists created finely detailed likenesses, often using cut paper and occasionally finishing them by hand. The black outline of the sitter would be mounted on paper of a contrasting background, and was an inexpensive alternative to the portrait miniature. The silhouettes were reproduced for books and post cards, drawing notoriety for the artists that specialized in this craft.

Artists created woodblock prints using the silhouette outlines as a guide for the purpose of creating book illustrations. In the 19th century, hand-colored prints were more expensive to create than silhouettes, and were often included as an alternative. The invention of the daguerreotype in the mid-19th century caused the silhouette to fall out of favor, as the new inexpensive method of portraiture took hold in Europe.

A contemporary example of silhouettes in art making are those by artist Kara Walker, who revived interest in paper cut silhouettes.


Quick Facts

  • Isabella Beetham was a pioneering female silhouette artist who mastered the technique of paper cutting and hand-detailing miniatures
  • John Miers practiced silhouette art in Great Britain in the late 18th century. Miers painted his silhouettes, often on ivory, and often took less than three minutes to produce an image
  • Austrian artist Otto Böhler specialized in creating silhouettes of German musicians, composers, and conductors, including the famous Bach and Mahler. His work was often reproduced for ads in newspapers

Recommended Items at Auction

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MID 19TH C. SILHOUETTE OF CHILD WITH TOY
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
MID 19TH C. SILHOUETTE OF CHILD WITH TOY
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $400
$1755 Bids
(33) 19TH C, CUT PAPER SILHOUETTES LOOSE & ON ALBUM PAGES
Feb 21, 11:00 AM EST
(33) 19TH C, CUT PAPER SILHOUETTES LOOSE & ON ALBUM PAGES
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $200- $300
$1254 Bids
CA 1840 PAIR OF INK SILHOUETTES OF FAMILY OF FOUR IN ONE FRAME
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
CA 1840 PAIR OF INK SILHOUETTES OF FAMILY OF FOUR IN ONE FRAME
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $400- $600
$2253 Bids
MID 19TH C. SILHOUETTE OF GIRL
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
MID 19TH C. SILHOUETTE OF GIRL
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $200- $300
$502 Bids
A Victorian silhouette,
Mar 04, 10:00 AM GMT
A Victorian silhouette,
by Sworders
Est: £150- £300
£1201 Bid
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Silhouettes & Portrait Plaques
Mar 11, 10:00 AM EDT
Silhouettes & Portrait Plaques
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $60- $100
$201 Bid
PAIR OF CA 1810 BRITISH SILHOUETTES SIGNED 'DE MORS', IN ONE FRAME
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
PAIR OF CA 1810 BRITISH SILHOUETTES SIGNED 'DE MORS', IN ONE FRAME
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $200- $300
$501 Bid
DAVID Y. ELLINGER (PA, 1913-2003)
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
DAVID Y. ELLINGER (PA, 1913-2003)
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $500
$501 Bid
PAIR OF CA 1820 BRITISH SILHOUETTES , IN ONE FRAME
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
PAIR OF CA 1820 BRITISH SILHOUETTES , IN ONE FRAME
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $500
$501 Bid
CA 1820 PAIR OF CUT PAPER SILHOUETTES OF FOUNDING FATHERS IN ONE FRAME
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
CA 1820 PAIR OF CUT PAPER SILHOUETTES OF FOUNDING FATHERS IN ONE FRAME
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $600- $800
$2501 Bid
THREE ANTIQUE HOLLOW CUT SILHOUETTES.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM EST
THREE ANTIQUE HOLLOW CUT SILHOUETTES.
by William Smith Auctions
Est: $100- $300
$501 Bid
CA 1800 SILHOUETTE MINIATURE SILHOUETTE OF WASHINGTON
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
CA 1800 SILHOUETTE MINIATURE SILHOUETTE OF WASHINGTON
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $400- $600
$1001 Bid
A Victorian silhouette,
Mar 04, 10:00 AM GMT
A Victorian silhouette,
by Sworders
Est: £80- £150
£601 Bid
Antique Victorian Silhouette of a Young Girl
Mar 01, 11:00 AM EST
Antique Victorian Silhouette of a Young Girl
by Kavanagh Auctions
Est: $50- $15,000
$501 Bid
Pair Reverse Painted Silhouettes, G.&M. Washington
Mar 02, 10:00 AM EST
Pair Reverse Painted Silhouettes, G.&M. Washington
by Devin Moisan Auctioneers, Inc.
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids
3 silhouet prenten met voorstelling van figuur aan…
Feb 27, 7:00 PM CET
3 silhouet prenten met voorstelling van figuur aan…
by Veilinghuis Van Spengen
Est: €50- €75
€100 Bids
Plaster Silhouette of Composer Handel in Maple Frame, 19th Century
Mar 08, 11:00 AM EST
Plaster Silhouette of Composer Handel in Maple Frame, 19th Century
by Rafael Osona Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
19TH C. WM WISE FULL LENGTH SILHOUETTE.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM EST
19TH C. WM WISE FULL LENGTH SILHOUETTE.
by William Smith Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids
Silhouette portrait in wooden frame 1st half 20th century
Feb 24, 10:00 AM CET
Silhouette portrait in wooden frame 1st half 20th century
by Auktionshaus Wimberger
Est: €0- €0
€100 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Silhouette Prints


Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

William Smith Auctions

William Smith Auctions

Sworders

Sworders

Rafael Osona Auctions

Rafael Osona Auctions