Origin and history of vignette

1751, "decorative design" on a page of a book, originally a design in the form of vine tendrils running around the borders of a book page, especially around an illustration at the beginning of a book or chapter; from French vignette, from Old French diminutive of vigne "vineyard" (see vine).

The English got the style from France. The sense in printing was transferred from the border to the picture itself (by 1830), then (by 1853) to a type of small photographic portrait with blurred edges very popular mid-19c. The meaning "literary sketch" is attested by 1880 and probably extended from the photographic sense.

Compare obsolete vinet (late 15c.) "ornament in design running or trailing in imitation of vines," in decorative work or architecture; by 1620s in reference to a similar design as border on a page.