Silhouetportret van Helena Maria van den Bosch-Razoux 1844 - 1865

This is a silhouette portrait of Helena Maria van den Bosch-Razoux, made by Friedrich Heinrich Wilhelm Schröder. The image is rendered through the simple act of cutting paper, an accessible medium and an expedient process. The stark contrast between the black silhouette and the pale ground emphasizes the sitter’s contours, fashion, and social standing. The work’s graphic effect is immediate, yet the silhouette implies a level of precision and skill. Note how the artist captures the delicate frills of the sitter’s bonnet and the intricate details of her dress. The relative ease and affordability of the silhouette meant that the burgeoning middle class, not just the aristocracy, could partake in visual culture. The silhouette was often considered a craft or a form of popular entertainment rather than high art. But by giving consideration to materials, making, and context, we gain a more profound understanding of the silhouette’s appeal and its place within broader cultural practices.