Silhouette

A silhouette is a form of artwork. It is most commonly a human portrait in profile, in black. Named for French politician Etienne de Silhouette, most silhouettes are formed by tracing the shadow of the subject and cutting out the resultant outline.

Also refers to Silhouette Shooting, a shooting contest where metal silhouettes are shot in place of live game. Competitions exist for pistols and rifles, and different classes such as rimfire, centerfire, and air pistol/rifle.

Originating in Mexico where shooters shot at live game on ridgelines where the animal's silhouette was visible. Today the animals are metal silhouettes of chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams, with each being shot at increasing distances. It is a precision sport, however somewhat less serious than traditional target shooting as all that matters is the target is knocked down.