What is a silhouette?
Q: What is a silhouette?
A: A silhouette is an outline-only image usually filled in as black on a white background.
Q: How is a silhouette different from an outline?
A: An outline shows the edge of an object in line form, but a silhouette is a solid shape.
Q: What is the origin of the word silhouette?
A: The word silhouette was first used to describe pieces of cut paper, which were then stuck to a backing in a contrasting color and often framed.
Q: What is the history of cutting portraits from black paper?
A: Cutting portraits, generally in profile, from black paper became popular in the mid-18th century. Skilled specialist artists could cut a high-quality bust portrait in a matter of minutes.
Q: What was the purpose of creating silhouettes?
A: Silhouettes were a cheap alternative to the portrait miniature.
Q: How did other artists create silhouettes besides cutting them from black paper?
A: Other artists, especially about 1790, drew an outline on paper, then painted it in, which could also be done quickly.
Q: How has the term silhouette been extended in meaning?
A: From its original graphic meaning, the term silhouette has been extended to describe the sight or representation of a person, object, or scene that is backlit and appears dark against a lighter background. Anything that appears this way may be described as "in silhouette".
