Silhouette cutting hearkens back to early 17th century France, when silhouette artists were hired to entertain royalty with their free-hand cuttings of lords and ladies in all of their elaborate finery and hair-pieces.  Silhouettes are, in fact, named after the French Minister of Finance in 1759, Etienne de Silhouette.  Mr. Silhouette was exceedingly miserly and had brought despair to the French people through his unrelenting, unfair tax policies.  He spent much of his time perfecting his favorite new pastime, the art of cutting silhouettes.  Thus was born the name "Silhouette."

Silhouettes migrated into the rest of Europe and eventually became exceedingly popular in 18th century America, where they were employed as a way of capturing dignified portraits of American aristocrats, politicians, and common folk alike.  

Silhouettes are still popular today, although the number of silhouette artists has since decreased to about 15 in the entire country.  Even though the actual silhouettes remain greatly sought-after as wonderful and lasting encapsulations of people and events, artists are still rare.