There are two types of silhouettes both cut with scissors from black paper. The first type of silhouette is the silhouette portrait. This form of portraiture became popular in the mid 1700's in france through the artist talents of its namesake, frenchman " Etienne De SIlhouette. " A precursor to the modern day photograph, the silhouette was a favorite way for all classes of society, from royality to common folk to capture the likeness of family members and loved ones for posterity. Silhouette portraits were also an inexpensive alternative to the more extravagant commisioned oil portraits. To this day, silhouette portraits are still refered to as the poor mans portrait.
The word silhouette was derived from the petty economies of french finance minister Etienne de Silhouette in 1759. It became the name of the portrait style of a profile without detail since it was cheaper and easier to make than a painted portrait.

The images seen here are a collection of scenes cut out of acid-free paper and silhouettes of photographers around the world. They can be ordered by sending an email to bethpray@hotmail.com to check for availability !
They prices run anywhere from $ 20.00 and up.