Description: Silhouettes were the most expedient and inexpensive form of portraiture available to New Englanders in the early 19th century. Profiles were so cheap, costing about ten cents apiece, that an artist's profit was dependent on making them as quickly as possible. Full length silhouettes of a man and woman, inscribed in pencil on the bottom: "Thomas Swan and his sister Sarah (Sally) Swan, brother and sister of Mr. Martin Lane" and in pencil on back: "Uncle Thomas Swan 61 / Aunt 50." The black paper cutouts are affixed to white paper ground with highlights on the black silhouettes possibly achieved through chalk. Watercolor ground of figures below. Maker unknown.
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