Friday, November 21, 2014

Paper cutting or...

Scherenschnitte (which means "scissor cuts" in German,) is the art of paper cutting design. The art work often has symmetry within the design, and common forms include silhouettes, valentines, and love letters. The art tradition was founded in Switzerland and Germany in the 16th century, and was brought to Colonial America in the 18th century by immigrants who settled primarily in Pennsylvania. (Source: Wikipedia)
A shop window in Asheville, NC last Christmas-time
I think it was closed the day I caught these pictures.
My silhouette, cut in the 1970s I think

I know my parents had a pair cut of themselves when young, but I don't know where they went.  I wonder if my ex-husband has the one we had made of him still.  

 It's pretty amazing to be able to cut a profile of someone who's sitting right there waiting to see what it looks like...so I think that the paper cutters of the world are portrait painters extraordinaire.

Check Sepia Saturday for more interesting connections to this photo. Look at the names at the bottom of the page for other blog posts.   Link HERE.

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11 comments:

  1. Alex DawNovember 21, 2014 at 9:18 PM

    I think it would be fun to do silhouettes don't you? I have vague memories of attempting to do them in my youth.

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  2. PostcardyNovember 22, 2014 at 10:42 AM

    I love your silhouette. It takes a lot of talent to make something like that.

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  3. Little NellNovember 22, 2014 at 10:57 AM

    I think it’s a rare talent to be able to create a likeness of someone (albeit in profile) in this way. Your own portrait should be treasured.

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  4. WendyNovember 22, 2014 at 12:34 PM

    Oh my - I had forgotten all about how popular Scherenschnitte was a few years back. Artists at craft shows sold a lot of beautiful framed ones and ornaments too. Beautiful work.

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  5. UnknownNovember 22, 2014 at 12:45 PM

    Your silhouette is lovely!

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  6. Teresa Wilson RogersNovember 22, 2014 at 3:11 PM

    How lovely to have a silhouette of yourself! I wish I'd had one done when I was younger.

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  7. La NightingailNovember 22, 2014 at 3:32 PM

    The paper cuttings are beautiful. What a talent the person who created them has. And your silhouette is lovely. I don't recall what grade I was in, but I remember trying to cut out silhouettes, but we traced them out first, then clipped.

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  8. JofeathNovember 22, 2014 at 8:23 PM

    I agree, lively to have that silhouette of yourself. I think a oit of what looks like paper cutting is done by lazer these days. It is amazing what can be done.

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  9. Mike BrubakerNovember 22, 2014 at 11:32 PM

    Well done! Both paper crafts require a real artist's eye to get the line and perspective right.

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  10. Alan BurnettNovember 23, 2014 at 7:34 AM

    I had never even heard of Scherenschnitte - once again Sepia Saturday informs me, inspires me and entertains me . Now where are those scissors.

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  11. Bob ScotneyNovember 23, 2014 at 8:43 AM

    I don't think I would have the ability or the patience to create silhouettes like these. Someones portrait would be a challenge too far.

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