Silhouette of Lady Carstairs, Hyde Park, London 1800 - 1900

This watercolor silhouette of Lady Carstairs in Hyde Park, London, was made by an anonymous artist, during an unknown year. At first glance, it is a simple portrait, but it reveals much about the labor of artistic production in its time. Silhouette art was a popular and relatively inexpensive way to have one’s likeness captured, often relying on artisanal skill rather than the high art of painting. The artist likely used a mechanical aid like a camera obscura or physiognotrace to trace the sitter's profile, and the image would then be hand-painted. Consider the contrast between the lady’s fashionable dress and the means of its representation. Her gown is rendered with remarkable detail, its layered ruffles and delicate fringe suggesting the laborious craft of textile production. The artist is attentive to the qualities of silhouette, with the stark contrast between light and dark emphasizing the luxury and artistry of the lady’s attire. Paying attention to materials, processes, and social context helps us to appreciate this silhouette beyond a mere representation. It provides a glimpse into the wider world of labor, consumption, and creative expression.