Edwardian Framed Silhouette by Handrup

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A portrait cut in a single breath.

This original framed freehand silhouette, attributed to the noted early 20th century Danish … Read more A portrait cut in a single breath.

This original framed freehand silhouette, attributed to the noted early 20th century Danish artist Charles Handrup, is as much performance as it is portrait. Silhouettes of this kind were not merely decorative keepsakes — they were feats of skill, executed before an audience with speed and astonishing precision.

Printed on the reverse is the remarkable declaration:
“A Quick Study Silhouette Portrait, cut with Scissors entirely Freehand in one minute by Handrup.”

One minute. No tracing. No corrections. Just hand, eye, and instinct.

Further noted on the back: “Silver Medal Awarded. Festival of Empire. Crystal Palace. 1911.” — tying the piece to the great international exhibition held at the Crystal Palace, a moment of cultural pageantry and artistic recognition. The presence of the impressed DH Evans & Co stamp adds another layer of provenance, connecting it to the respected London department store and grounding the work firmly in its early 20th century context.

The silhouette itself is elegant and sharply observed — the profile distilled to its purest lines. There is something deeply romantic about these portraits: anonymous yet intimate, minimal yet expressive. In an era before photography was commonplace for all, this was a way to capture likeness quickly, affordably, and beautifully.

Hand selected in England and imported with care, this piece carries extraordinary provenance and story. It is not simply wall décor — it is a relic of exhibition halls, scissors flashing under gaslight, and an artist so skilled he could capture a life in sixty seconds.

A striking addition to a gallery wall, study, or collected interior — layered with history, artistry, and the thrill of its making. See less