Difference between revisions of "Shadowgraphy"

Revision as of 17:27, 25 June 2008 (view source) Jpecore (Talk | contribs) (New page: Shadowgraphy (or Ombromanie) is the art of using hands to form figures onto a screen using shadows. It can be traced back to 18th Century, although the idea is probably much older. Sha...)		Revision as of 17:31, 25 June 2008 (view source) Jpecore (Talk | contribs) (→‎Books) Newer edit →
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	== Books ==		== Books ==
−	*Trewey wrote a 16 page booklet which was published just before his death called "The Art of Shadowgraphy - How it is done".	+	* "The Art of Shadowgraphy - How it is done" by Trewey (1920)
−	* A book published in 1859 by [[Henry Bursill]] entitled "Hand Shadows to be thrown upon the wall" contained numerous animals and humans each with their own careful illustration.	+	* "Hand Shadows to be thrown upon the wall" by [[Henry Bursill]] (1859)
−	* An extensive chapter on Hand Shadows may be read in the book "Home Fun" by Cecil H. Bullivant (1910).	+	* "Home Fun" by Cecil H. Bullivant (1910) contains a chapter on Hand Shadows.
	* Bill Severn's Shadow Magic		* Bill Severn's Shadow Magic
	[[Category:Allied Arts]]		[[Category:Allied Arts]]

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Revision as of 17:31, 25 June 2008

Shadowgraphy (or Ombromanie) is the art of using hands to form figures onto a screen using shadows. It can be traced back to 18th Century, although the idea is probably much older. Shadow puppets of Indonesia were being performed around 850 AD and in China during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907).

The art was introduced to Europe by travelers returning back from China, who had seen the Chinese puppet theater shows. The first "ombres chinoises" were presented in Paris in 1776 by Dominique Séraphin, but this was using two-dimensional cut-out "puppets" made from various materials.

In modern times, the art of "ombromanie" (using only the hands as a medium to create the shadow) was made popular by Félicien Trewey. At the age of fifteen Trewey ran away from home to become a magician and tight rope walker. Trewey popularized the art by making silhouettes of famous personalities with his hands. In 1889, he joined Alexander Herrmann.

Magicians performing shadowgraphy

Around the same time as Trewey, David Devant and Edward Victor were also performing Shadowgraphy in their acts.

It would appear that Alexander Herrmann learned Shadowgraphy from watching the performances of Trewey.

David Tobias Bamberg most likely learned it from Alexander who passed this down to his son Okito. Okito passed it down to his son Fu Manchu. "Okito" toured with the Thurston show as a shadowgrapher for many years. "Fu Manchu" likewise featured shadowgraphy in his act for many years.

Max Holden featured Shadowgraphy in his performances, with his assistant wife, as the duo "Holden and Graham". Holden was famous for his shadow "Monkey in the Bellfry".

Books

• "The Art of Shadowgraphy - How it is done" by Trewey (1920)
• "Hand Shadows to be thrown upon the wall" by Henry Bursill (1859)
• "Home Fun" by Cecil H. Bullivant (1910) contains a chapter on Hand Shadows.
• Bill Severn's Shadow Magic