Silhouettes
Definition
This term refers to images created by outlining and filling in the shape of a subject, usually in a single color, often black, against a lighter background. Silhouettes emphasize the contours of the subject, reducing it to a simple, flat shape. This technique has been used historically in portraiture, as well as in contemporary art to explore themes of identity, anonymity, and abstraction.
History
The silhouette as an art form dates back to the 18th century, where it was commonly used for portraiture. In contemporary art, artists like Kara Walker have revitalized the silhouette, using it to explore complex social and historical themes, particularly around race, identity, and power.
Notable Examples
Kara Walker
Slavery! Slavery!, 1997-1998
Hans Christian Andersen
Paper Cutouts,
Key Artists & Movements
Key figures include Kara Walker, whose large-scale cut-paper silhouettes address the legacy of slavery and racial violence in America, and Hans Christian Andersen, the famous fairy-tale author, who also created intricate paper cutouts that often featured silhouetted figures.
Techniques & Materials
Techniques involve cutting or drawing the outline of a subject, usually filled in with a solid color, typically black. Silhouettes can be created through paper cutting, drawing, or digital methods, and are often used to emphasize shape, contrast, and the play of positive and negative space. In contemporary art, silhouettes are sometimes used to address issues of identity, representation, and the simplification of complex subjects into iconic, easily recognizable forms.
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