The Shape of Things to Come

The silhouette, an outline of an object whose interior is filled in and devoid of detail, has been in vogue since the eighteenth century, when, as a precursor to portrait photography, the silhouetted profiles of men and women graced the walls of many homes. With its strong, striking qualities, the technique continues to be popular among graphic designers and such contemporary artists as Ryan McGinness and Kara Walker. And once again, at home, the silhouette is gracing everything from carpets to cuckoo clocks.