Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2014.6 |
Object Name |
Silhouette |
Title |
Silhouette of Unknown Woman |
Artist |
Unknown |
Description |
In 1802, artist Charles Willson Peale purchased a small machine for making silhouettes of his museum visitors. The "physiognotrace" outlined the shadow cast on a sheet of white paper by the sitter's head. The "profilist" cut along the outline and pasted the "hollow-cut" white sheet on a black background. |
Label |
Framed paper silhouette. In black paper, subject is in profile turned towards her right. Her hair is set high atop her head with thin bangs on her forehead. She has a thin neck and moderately large nose. She wears a collared blouse. Embossed directly underneath her are the words "Peale Museum" in capital block letters. |
Medium |
Paper |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of Sam Carrier and Susan Kane, 2014. |
Search Terms |
portrait Peale Peale Museum |
Collection |
Carrier-Peale Collection |