The Pencil'd Geranium

By drawing the designs first it takes greatly from the merit of cutting; therefore, it is advisable for the learner, not to begin with doing so, but to form the figures with the scissors, without the aid of the pencil: a figure which looks well in drawing has a contrary effect in cutting; for in paper there must be more left to the imagination'.

So wrote consummate silhouette-cutting artist Barbara Anne Townshend (1781–1816) in her silhouette-cutting instruction book published in 1808, 'Introduction to the Art of Cutting Groups of Figures, Flowers, Birds, &c. in Black Paper'. The book provided examples and instructions for other women to learn the art of the silhouette; two further known editions followed in 1815 and 1836, a testament to the book's popularity and Townshend's significance in the history of the art form.

This stunning cut paper 'Pencil'd Geranium' is an exceptionally rare example of Townshend's original work.

VIEW IMAGE 1: Barbara Anne Townshend, The Pencil'd Geranium Botanical Silhouette Paper Cut – c.1800 (STOCK NUMBER: KE-022).
Image 2: The Pencil'd Geranium (Detail);
Image 3: The Pencil'd Geranium (Detail);
Image 4: Example of design Barbara Anne Townshend, Introduction to the Art of Cutting Groups of Figures, Flowers, Birds, &c. in Black Paper;
Image 5: Example of design Barbara Anne Townshend, Introduction to the Art of Cutting Groups of Figures, Flowers, Birds, &c. in Black Paper