Ontwerp voor illustratie voor In Holland staat een huis: silhouet van een poes 1884 - 1917

This silhouette of a cat was made by Nelly Bodenheim, likely in the early 20th century, as an illustration. The method here is straightforward: an opaque watercolor on paper, likely cut out to create a small, intimate silhouette. It's a simple image, yes, but it speaks to the labor involved in children's book illustration, a field often dismissed as 'minor' yet fundamental in shaping our early visual culture. Silhouettes are particularly interesting. This technique was originally associated with the French Minister of Finance, Étienne de Silhouette, who was known for his inexpensive shadow portraits. Here, Bodenheim cleverly uses the silhouette to create a charming and accessible image, turning a simple cut-out into a captivating character. It’s a reminder that even the simplest of forms can carry significant artistic and cultural weight. In its economy, Bodenheim’s silhouette suggests that the means of production are just as significant as the end result.