Images(5)

silhouette

Object NameSilhouette on Paper of Amelung Family.

Made FromTan, black; Painted on paper

Dateprobably 1789-1790; dated 1765

TechniquePainted on paper

SizeFrame H: 48.2 cm, W: 100 cm, Th: 3.5 cm

Accession Number91.7.3

Curatorial Area(s)

Early Modern

Place Made

probably Germany; possibly Russia

Physical DescriptionTan and black rag paper, fabric; painted on paper. Flat, rectangular shape, of tan paper adhered to a linen background, attached to a cardboard backing; painted black silhouettes of 18 people, with gray wash details, arranged in a horizontal composition of 4 conversation groups; a group of 4 females in group at left, 2 in chairs at a table, the woman at left, with a feather pen in one hand, a letter in upraised hand, inkwell desk set on the table in front of her; the woman at right with one hand raised, holding a book, inscribed "2" above her head; a girl holding a basket of flowers standing behind woman at left, inscribed "11" over her head; a boy standing between 2 seated women, inscribed "10" over his head. Group of 5 men grouped around a table with a chess set. A man seated in a chair at right, reaching out toward chess set, a man seated in a chair at left; a man stands at his side; 2 boys stand behind the other man, 1 leaning on the back of the chair. Group to the right with 2 women seated in chairs at a sewing table with basket, a woman at the right holding a needle in one hand and a fabric tape in the other, inscribed "4" above her head; a woman opposite holding knitting; a boy stands on the seat of a chair behind her, leaning on the back of her chair, a girl stands behind the boy, supporting him, inscribed "9" above her head; at the right of the group, a woman stands, inscribed "6" above her head, holding a baby in her arms; a group of 3 children at the far right, with a girl, standing and holding a bird cage, inscribed "8" above her head, a boy, inscribed "13" his head, pokes at the cage, and a boy, inscribed "12" above his head, pulls at the ribbon of the girls dress; a dark gray wash runs under the figures, indicating a ground line; a black stripe across the bottom.
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