Four profiles in black paper, cut by hand in 1941 — a family frozen in the clean, quiet art of their moment.
An original set of hand-cut silhouette portraits by artist F. Ward: father, mother, son, and daughter, each signed and dated 1941. Professionally framed under glass in a black wood frame with mat. The mat and paper have yellowed with age — we think it only deepens the vintage character. The Scherenschnitte tradition — German scissor-cut silhouette work — came to America in the 18th century, where it became known as "silhouettes" after Etienne de Silhouette, the French finance minister who made them fashionable. By 1941 they had been popular for generations; finding a complete, signed family set in this condition is genuinely uncommon. Minor scuffs on the frame; some marks visible in photos are glass reflections, not damage.
A beautiful piece of American domestic history. On a gallery wall, grouped with other vintage portraits, or displayed alone. A meaningful housewarming or anniversary gift for anyone who loves the art of the silhouette.
Artist: F. Ward; signed and dated 1941
Subject: Family of four — father, mother, son, daughter
Technique: Hand-cut paper silhouettes (Scherenschnitte)
Frame: Black wood, matted, under glass; professionally framed
Dimensions: 19" long × 9.25" tall
Era: 1941
Condition: Vintage, used. Very good — mat and paper yellowed (enhances vintage character); minor frame scuffs; glass reflections visible in some photos. All sales final — please review all photos.
