Pair of Framed Silhouettes by Beatrix Sherman

Beatrix Sherman (1894-1975) was one of the most well-known silhouette artists of her time and is profiled on a full page on Wikipedia. Her first professional exhibition of her silhouettes was at the Panama Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) held in San Francisco in 1915, where she became known as "The Girl Who Cuts Up."

One of these silhouettes (the left one in our photo number 1) is signed lower right "Cut by Beatrix Sherman, P.P.I.E. 1915," indicating it was done at the Exposition. The companion silhouette is unsigned. Ms. Sherman cut silhouettes of many famous people, including 10 U.S. Presidents. The last picture shows a photo of her and some of the silhouettes she cut of prominent people of that era.

The full-length black cut-outs each depict a properly dressed Edwardian lady, set against an off-white background. The oval mats are covered in a lovely silk faille of pale blue. The frames, a later addition, are narrow with a subtle, darkened gold finish and a center stripe of gray blue.

Each artwork is 14 1/2 inches tall, 6 5/8 inches wide, each weigh one pound. Both are in excellent condition, with light toning to the background paper on the unmarked one and some small dents to the frames the only wear we could find. The dust papers and glass are undamaged and there's a sawtooth hanger on the back of each. These antique silhouettes display beautifully.

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