In the modern age, when photographic art has achieved so high a
degree of perfection, most people do not stop to think that less than a
century ago there did not exist any photographer at all. When our
ancestors wanted to have a portrait made they had a limited choice of
methods. They could have it painted, very circumstantially, in colors,
for one thing; or they could content themselves with a silhouette, cut
out of black paper. Of course, the latter method was the cheaper, and
subsequently it became highly popular, until photography was invented.
The way in which the German Scientist, Lavater took a silhouette. |
The word silhouette, which has been merged with most languages,
was at first meant as an expression of contempt for the French
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Etienne de Silhouette,
who instead of adjusting the money affairs of his country, spent his
time in decorating the walls of his castle with shadow portraits of his
guests. The French people said that "his pictures were just as black and
empty as the French Treasury." Since that time black portraits of this
kind have been called "silhouettes."
Years before the German scientist Lavater
had occupied himself with drawing profiles. With the help of a wax
candle he produced a shadow of his subject in full size on a white
sheet, on which he then traced the outline. Later he reproduced the
picture on a smaller scale, and the portrait was finished.
The correct way of taking a silhouette is however, to cut it out
of black paper by hand. It requires a great deal of mechanical skill,
but at the same time a beautiful result can be accomplished when a
clever person wields the shears.
In the nineteenth century it was quite an industry to clip
silhouettes. One single man, August Edouart, who lived most of the time
in America, cut out nearly 100,000 portraits, and still he was one of
the few who understood how to give the silhouettes the true imprint of
real art.
The greatest genius in the field of this special branch of art who
ever lived was Paul Konewka. Although he died when only 31 years old he
developed such dexterity in silhouette cutting that he became known all
over the world. He combined a fine decorative sense with wonderful
adroitness in the use of scissors. He always carried with him a pair of
scissors especially constructed for this use, and he cut with such
deftness that he never needed to look at the scissors.
The most celebrated among his silhouettes are the illustrations of
"Faust" and Shakespear's dramas. His figures are so charming, his
portraits so animated, that even the most particular critics must yield
them admiration. In any case, this black art has fostered one great
master, has given lasting fame to at least one name -- Paul Konewka.
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