In attempting this the first list which has ever appeared of silhouette artists, apology must be made for inevitable omissions. Since commencing it six years ago, obscure examples have been found which give the names of unknown painters or cutters, possibly amateurs, who have left no other sign of their work except this ghost of the past. Sometimes a rare specimen has been the means of adding to the list of silhouettists a man or woman already well known in some other branch of artistic work, such as Dicky Doyle and the late Phil May, examples owned by Mr. Desmond Coke.
It is well known that while the fashion for shadow portraiture lasted, many artists used the method but did not sign their work, thinking perhaps that this passing mode was not one altogether worthy of their reputation in other branches. It is the exception rather than the rule for silhouettes to be signed, whatever the process chosen. Connoisseurs are enabled by careful study to recognise at a glance examples of well-known silhouettists, such as Miers, Rosenberg, Mrs. Beetham, or Edouart, by their treatment of hair or some slight characteristic touch; but as a rule the shadow pageant passes before us nameless, elusive. We hope to rescue from final obscurity some of the names of the lesser men, and perhaps the list, however incomplete, may help owners to identify the originals of these shadow sitters of the past. When possible, dates of birth and death are given; but often only a single date is available—that when the portrait was taken. In many cases the advertisement at the back of the frame gives us the desired information; but comparatively few examples are still in the original frames provided by the artist. Even if the frame has not been changed, the glass may have been broken, rendering the opening of the back necessary for renewal, with destruction to the trade label. Beneath a second covering, for dust-proof purposes, it is sometimes possible to find a name, but each year the chances of the preservation of such clues is lessening. The author will be glad to have information sent to her in order to add further information in view of a later edition of her work.
It has been thought advisable for purposes of reference to arrange the names in alphabetical rather than chronological order. As the methods of silhouetting in different countries do not vary to any large extent, and as most of the workers travelled widely, so that, for example, Hubard, though an Englishman, did much of his work in America, and August Edouart, a Frenchman, is best known in the British Isles and the United States, the artists have not been grouped according to their nationality, nor with regard to their mode of work. The alphabetical order seemed on the whole to be the most convenient.
Ackerman. Published a sheet of silhouettes of children playing in groups, about 1830.
Adam, J., Vienna. Engraved mounts for silhouettes.
Adolphe. Signature on silhouette of George IV. in black ink, gold on hair and rings. [XXIII.] Advertisement on a signed portrait of Lady John Townshend, 1840, in the National Portrait Gallery. “The Origin of Profiles, sketched by Mons. Adolphe, Portrait, Animal, Miniature and Profile Painter, 113, St. James’s Street, Brighton.” Then follow verses commencing—
“’Twas love, ’twas all inspiring love ’tis said,
Directed first a female hand to trace.”
Aldous. On the silhouette portrait of his late Royal Highness Frederick Duke of York is written, “Drawn on stone by Mr. Aldous.”