Silhouette of a man facing left 1843

This paper silhouette of a woman facing left was made by Rufus K. Cummings sometime in the 1800s. It’s a simple piece, cut from paper, and mounted on a backing sheet. But its simplicity belies its cultural significance. Silhouettes like this were an inexpensive way to have your portrait made. In an era before photography was widely accessible, it provided access to a sort of likeness for the masses, using basic techniques, and at relatively low cost. The artist likely used a tool to trace around the shadow of the sitter's profile, and then carefully cut along the tracing lines to create the silhouette. The starkness of the black paper against the white background emphasizes the contours of the face and hairstyle. The lack of detail forces the viewer to focus on the overall shape and form, rather than intricate features. This small portrait speaks volumes about the democratization of representation, using the humblest of materials and methods to make portraiture accessible to a wider audience. It blurs the boundaries between art and craft, elevating a modest technique to a poignant form of expression.