Medallion 1808

"Medallion" is an 1808 silhouette by German artist Rauert, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work depicts a man's profile in a delicate black paper cut-out, set against a peach-colored background. The sitter wears a high-collared coat adorned with buttons, adding a touch of detail to the otherwise simple silhouette. Rauert's "Medallion" exemplifies the popularity of silhouette portraits in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, offering a quick and affordable way to capture a likeness.