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Summary and Objective
In the early 1800's having a silhouette made of a loved one was an inexpensive art alternative to preserve the likeness of a person. Students will learn about the history of the silhouette, study pictures of silhouettes from the digital collections, and create their own.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Have students research the history of the silhouette art form on the Internet. Discuss their findings in class. Post on a chart.
Step 2.
Explain to students that drawing an outline of a person or animal might have been one of the earliest forms of art of prehistoric people. Discuss why this might have been?
Step 3.
The name silhouette comes from the French finance minister, Etienne de Silhouette. His hobby was creating shadow cuttings of his freinds. People then referred to the pictures themselves as silhouettes. Why would this be a less expensive way to have a likeness done of a person rather than a painted portrait?
Step 4.
Making silhouettes became a fad in Europe and the American colonies in the 1700's. Discuss what a fad is and what are the current fads today?
Step 5.
Have students view the silhouettes from the digital collection. Can they find certain characteristics about the person from the silhouette?
Step 6.
Have students select partners to work with for this project. Tape a paper to the wall and have the partner sit in front of it. Shine a light so that it throws a shadow on the paper. Trace the person's outline.
Step 7.
The person outline can either be colored in with a black crayon or carefully cut out the outline and place in on black paper and cut around the outline to make a black silhouette. Mount on white paper.
Step 8.
Post the pictures in class and have students guess who the silhouette's mystery person is.
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