Silhouettes are incorporated in many of today's designs. They enhance any image or creative work and bring sophistication to small projects. They recall a simpler, more elegant time when keeping a loved one's face was not quite so simple.
Silhouette as an art started as early as the 15th century when aristocrats wanted to wear a likeness of a loved one on jewelry, or to adorn a wall. Full color portraits were expensive and quality artists were rare and usually employed by kings.
In the 1700's a theory called physiognomy was introduced. It was the theory that the character of the mind could be understood by the features on the face. The publication of a book about physiognomy, using silhouettes as illustrations by Kaspar Lavater, became a best seller and caused a craze for silhouettes in England.
By the earlier 1800s traveling silhouette artists were cutting likenesses of the rich and poor alike, as it was fairly affordable. This started falling out of vogue as the advent of photography became available in the 1840's.
Today the portraiture of people is a daily thing. Selfies and group photos are as much a part of our day as reading the news. Our fingertips bring us instant gratification of images and art. The silhouette has become vogue again with machines that render a likeness in silhouette for the consumer.
Custom silhouettes can now be found around a lot of corners. Offered at theme parks beside caricaturists, and possibly in your local park at the festival being held. Many online retailers that offer handmade items will feature a silhouette artist or two.
The silhouette image can now grace any place a picture can be printed, such as; cups, plates, decals, jewelry, t-shirts, and cards. A baby's face can be preserved in silhouette and framed for a keepsake that will be precious to them throughout their life.
Going beyond portraiture to scenes, the silhouette has long captured a moment in time that is whimsical and nostalgic. A boy on a bike or a woman gardening are simple examples. More elaborate scenes are famous for the intricacies captured in the strong cut lines on black paper. Cutouts of cityscapes will look pretty along a lamp shade and a family captured in silhouette can add the right touch to a wall of family portraits. Even your pet can get into the action and be preserved for history.
They are seen everywhere. A local restaurant might have a silhouette of a chef whipping up some fantastic dish on their window or a ranch will have a horse rider roping a calf above its name on its gate.
As varied as life and as intricate as wisdom, a custom silhouette can be bold or sentimental. It can tell a story or just one idea. It is poetry in paper.
Silhouette as an art started as early as the 15th century when aristocrats wanted to wear a likeness of a loved one on jewelry, or to adorn a wall. Full color portraits were expensive and quality artists were rare and usually employed by kings.
In the 1700's a theory called physiognomy was introduced. It was the theory that the character of the mind could be understood by the features on the face. The publication of a book about physiognomy, using silhouettes as illustrations by Kaspar Lavater, became a best seller and caused a craze for silhouettes in England.
By the earlier 1800s traveling silhouette artists were cutting likenesses of the rich and poor alike, as it was fairly affordable. This started falling out of vogue as the advent of photography became available in the 1840's.
Today the portraiture of people is a daily thing. Selfies and group photos are as much a part of our day as reading the news. Our fingertips bring us instant gratification of images and art. The silhouette has become vogue again with machines that render a likeness in silhouette for the consumer.
Custom silhouettes can now be found around a lot of corners. Offered at theme parks beside caricaturists, and possibly in your local park at the festival being held. Many online retailers that offer handmade items will feature a silhouette artist or two.
The silhouette image can now grace any place a picture can be printed, such as; cups, plates, decals, jewelry, t-shirts, and cards. A baby's face can be preserved in silhouette and framed for a keepsake that will be precious to them throughout their life.
Going beyond portraiture to scenes, the silhouette has long captured a moment in time that is whimsical and nostalgic. A boy on a bike or a woman gardening are simple examples. More elaborate scenes are famous for the intricacies captured in the strong cut lines on black paper. Cutouts of cityscapes will look pretty along a lamp shade and a family captured in silhouette can add the right touch to a wall of family portraits. Even your pet can get into the action and be preserved for history.
They are seen everywhere. A local restaurant might have a silhouette of a chef whipping up some fantastic dish on their window or a ranch will have a horse rider roping a calf above its name on its gate.
As varied as life and as intricate as wisdom, a custom silhouette can be bold or sentimental. It can tell a story or just one idea. It is poetry in paper.