Silhouette of James Grey, about 1840
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Picture Number:1990-5036_2742 Credit:National Museum of Photography, Film & Television/Science & Society Picture Library
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Caption:
A silhouette portrait of James Grey, created by an unknown artist in about 1840.
The artist has added gold highlights to the man's jacket, collar and hair. A fine black line gives the impression of eyelashes.
These details were made by drawing onto the black background, but similar effects could also be created by removing areas of the silhouette - for instance in the subject's white collar.
Silhouettes became popular in Britain in the late 1700s. They were named after Etienne de Silhouette (1709-1767), a French finance minister and amateur profile artist.
In Collection of: National Museum of Photography Film & Television Subject(s) > Society & Wars > People & Personal LifeAppears in: Diagnosing character
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