silhouette etymology

Etymology:

• French: silhouette
• Origin: after Étienne de Silhouette, French minister of finance (1759-1763)

Meaning:

• A solid black profile of a person or object, usually created by backlighting or projecting a shadow.

Origin:

The term "silhouette" originated during the reign of Louis XV in France. In 1759, Étienne de Silhouette became the country's minister of finance. To reduce government spending, he imposed austerity measures, leading to his unpopularity and earning him the nickname "Monsieur Silhouette."

At the time, profile portraits were a popular form of art. As a symbol of Silhouette's financial prudence, artists began creating simple, black profile portraits of him and others. These portraits became known as "silhouettes," and the term eventually came to refer to any solid black profile image.

Over time, the silhouette became a popular form of portraiture, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was a relatively affordable and accessible way to capture someone's likeness. Silhouettes often captured the distinctive features of a person, such as their hairstyle, clothing, and facial expressions.

Today, silhouettes are still used in art, design, and photography. They can be created by cutting black paper into the desired shape or using digital software. Silhouettes can convey a wide range of emotions and impressions, from elegance and sophistication to mystery and intrigue.

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