American 20th C Silhouette Artist Beatrix Sherman

A collection of hand-cut silhouettes by Beatrix Sherman (American, 1894-1975). Recently acquired from the estate of Sherman, most works date from between 1910 and 1930, are newly framed, and full of whimsy and charm - and an incredible level of detail.

Beatrix Sherman styled herself after 19th C. French silhouette artist Auguste Edouart. Sherman, like Edouart, kept books with duplicates of each sitter's silhouette enabling her to create an extensive personal archive that included both the silhouettes and the sitter's autographs.

Sherman traveled extensively and established a permanent studio in Manhattan throughout the 1950’s. Sherman’s subjects include U.S. Presidents, as well as other politicians, military leaders, writers, royalty, prominent businessmen and women, socialites, athletes, artists, actors, producers and directors. Sherman continued to cut silhouettes later in her career after relocating to West Palm Beach in 1957. In 1961, Sherman cut the silhouette of President John F Kennedy, her 10th presidential silhouette.

One of her last exhibits, at the Henry Flagler Museum, displayed a number of her silhouettes, including her first presidential silhouette, that of President Theodore Roosevelt, as well as nine others including President Kennedy. Beatrix Sherman lived to be 80 years old. She died on January 1, 1975, in West Palm Beach, Florida.