An early 19th century silhouette painting of a gentleman and a child, both the man and girl with bronzed highlights.
Rosewood frame with gilded slip.
Ex: Janet Niven Antiques
English circa 1840.
Image:24 x 18cm
Frame: 34.5 x 28cm
The word silhouette is derived from the name of Etienne de Silhouette, a French finance minister who, in 1759, was forced by France's credit crisis during the ‘Seven Years’ War to impose severe economic demands upon the French people, particularly the wealthy. Because of de Silhouette's austere economies, his name became synonymous with anything done or made cheaply and so with these outline portraits. Prior to the advent of photography, silhouette profiles cut from black card were the cheapest way of recording a person's appearance.