chiaroscuro

American  

[kee-ahr-uh-skyoor-oh] / kiˌɑr əˈskyʊər oʊ /

noun

plural

chiaroscuros

1. the distribution of light and shade in a picture.

2. Painting. the use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade, especially to enhance the delineation of character and for general dramatic effect.

   Rembrandt is a master of chiaroscuro.

3. a woodcut print in which the colors are produced by the use of different blocks with different colors.

4. a sketch in light and shade.

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chiaroscuro British  

/ kɪˌɑːrəˈskʊərəʊ /

noun

1. the artistic distribution of light and dark masses in a picture

2. monochrome painting using light and dark only, as in grisaille

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Other Word Forms

• chiaroscurism noun
• chiaroscurist noun

Etymology

Origin of chiaroscuro

1680–90; < Italian, equivalent to chiaro bright (< Latin clārus ) + oscuro dark (< Latin obscūrus ). See clear, obscure

Explanation

Chiaroscuro is an Italian artistic term used to describe the dramatic effect of contrasting areas of light and dark in an artwork, particularly paintings. It comes from the combination of the Italian words for "light" and "dark." Nowadays chiaroscuro applies to a far wider array of dramatic lighting effects, particularly in movies — anything dark and moody with great slashes of shadow, is very chiaroscuro. Film Noir, of all the film genres, is the best example of chiaroscuro. Chiaroscuro remains essentially a technical word, though, and is not often used in everyday conversation — unless you happen to be a film critic of course.

Example Sentences

The intense chiaroscuro evokes the mysticism of William Blake.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Like her day-to-day life, it is a work of chiaroscuro, a portrait of extremes: roses and guns.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024

In that chiaroscuro environment, reminiscent of the landscapes and photographs of the Mexican writer Juan Rulfo, Escobedo developed his sensitivity toward images, and the need to find his roots.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2023

The dramatic scenes are shot in chiaroscuro and in warm, expressive light so the character is always the focal point of lighting and photography.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2023

Art and Archaeology is murkier and more velvety than last year, and filled with impasto and chiaroscuro.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• cloudy
• leafy
• shaded
• shadowy