Silhouetten

Silhouetten refer to images defined by the outline of a figure or object filled with a solid color, typically black, set against a lighter field. They emphasize contour and negative space, often omitting internal detail to create a simple, legible form that can serve as a portrait, emblem, or visual sign.

The practice dates to 18th-century Europe and is named after Étienne de Silhouette, whose inexpensive portraits inspired the trend. Traditional silhouettes were cut from black paper and mounted on light backgrounds; in shops and salons they offered an affordable alternative to painted miniatures and engravings. In the same period, silhouette portraits became a popular decorative form in various media, including prints and lacquerware.

With the advent of photography in the 19th century, silhouettes shifted from hand-cut profiles to camera-made images, enabling rapid portraits and wider distribution. In art and cinema, silhouette forms have been used as a deliberate stylistic device, canceling internal detail to emphasize gesture, movement, and the relationship between figure and light.

In contemporary practice, silhouettes appear in graphic design, branding, fashion sketches, stage lighting, and animation. Digital tools enable vector silhouettes and cutout effects, while traditional paper and card silhouettes continue to be valued for craft and historical interest. The concept remains a versatile means of conveying identity, mood, and spatial information with minimal visual data.