Silhouette of Edward Worth of Saco, Maine 1828 - 1883

This is William Henry Brown’s mid-nineteenth century silhouette of Edward Worth of Saco, Maine, a striking image realized on paper. The silhouette was a popular and relatively inexpensive way to have one's portrait made in the 19th century, particularly in the United States. It democratized portraiture. Here, the stark black silhouette against a detailed landscape evokes the Romantic era's fascination with nature and the individual's place within it. The precision and clarity suggest the growing importance of industry, seen in the distant town. The work also touches on the institutional and cultural role of portraiture in defining social status and identity. The image gives us the opportunity to examine the social conditions that shaped artistic production at this time, as well as the public role of art in a rapidly changing society. Art historians rely on archival materials such as letters, diaries, and business records to reconstruct the cultural context.