Because of the fragility of paper, historians are uncertain of when and where the art of paper cutting originated. However, it is believed that it began in China, since the Chinese were the first to make and use paper. The original cost of paper would have made paper cuttings expensive commodities, but as paper became more prevalent, commoners used intricately cut papers to decorate their windows and cabinets. Germans took their paper cutting skills to England and are considered responsible for the paper silhouettes that became popular in the Victorian era. The German art of paper cutting migrated to the United States with the Amish settlers; Pennsylvania is still recognized as a premier source of scherenschnitte. Many classic images are associated with the Amish life style such as quilting and farming.
How a person approaches the art of paper cutting depends on her experience, artistic talent and level of patience. Though often referred to as scissor cutting, many paper artists prefer the use of a small utility knife to carve the paper rather than cut. This has two advantages. First, an inexperienced scissor cutter will avoid leaving uneven snip marks when the cut is longer than the length of the scissor blade. Second, a knife allows the artist work on a flat surface when cutting intricate patterns that might be crushed while handling with scissors. Patterns can be photocopied onto heavy craft paper or card stock or traced using carbon paper. The patterns range from blocky silhouettes to lace-like images that could take weeks to cut out accurately. Artistic paper cutters can draw their own unique patterns. The less artistic can purchase books or patterns in craft shops or online.
Simplistic scherenschnitte includes a child’s paper dolls and snowflakes. However, if someone intends to begin paper cutting as a hobby or even professional artwork, there are few things to consider. Do not approach paper cutting with anything less than the intention to achieve perfection. Even working with large silhouettes, the tiniest errors will show. Graduating to more intricate designs requires a keen eye and a steady hand to avoid accidentally cutting through a thin tree branch or slicing off a figure’s fingers. Even simple designs may take several days to complete due to eyestrain and finger fatigue. The precision needed to make even a long, smooth cut requires that the artist work slowly to keep to the design.
Possibly the most universally famous scherenschnitte artist is, ironically, its least well known. The Danish author Hans Christian Andersen is best known as the author of stories like “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Little Mermaid." However, during his lifetime he was also known for cutting paper as he told his stories. The finished design often displayed key characters or location in his stories. Many of his peers have left accounts of his mesmerizing ability to transform a scrap of paper into a growing illustration, a talent that delighted his young and old audiences alike. The Odense City Museum in Denmark has a collection of scherenschnitte created and signed by Hans Christian Andersen.