Silhouet

A silhouette is a two-dimensional representation of an object consisting of a solid shape, typically dark, that shows only the outer edge against a lighter background. The interior is featureless. Silhouettes emphasize contour and form rather than texture or shading, and they can be created by backlighting, shadow projection, or by cutting the shape from a solid material.

The word silhouette stems from the French term silhouette, in turn named after Étienne de Silhouette, who proposed inexpensive portrait alternatives in the 18th century. Initially, the art referred to cut-paper profiles, black paper cutouts arranged against a contrasting ground. The term broadened to describe similar outline images in painting, photography, and design.

Creating a silhouette typically requires a strong contrast between the subject and the background. In photography, this is achieved by exposing for the background so the subject appears dark. In cut-paper art, the shape is cut from black paper and mounted on a lighter sheet. Digital silhouettes are produced by filling a contour with a solid color.

Silhouettes are used to convey identity and mood with minimal detail. They are common in portraiture, graphic design, logos, and advertising. In cinema and stage design, silhouette lighting creates dramatic or mysterious effects; in fashion and product photography, silhouettes emphasize outline and silhouette shape.

In analysis, silhouettes are valued for their clarity of contour and their ability to reduce complex forms to essential geometry. They contrast with shading or full-color representations and are a staple of minimalist visual language.