What is chiaroscuro?

Question

The use of light and dark in strong contrast throughout the whole piece.

Answer 1

The artist Caravaggio from the late 1500s created multiple works of art applying chiaroscuro techniques. Each painting has the appearance of a dark stage with light a light source coming from the right or left to accentuate the subject or scene. Extreme contrasts and dramatic lighting adds to each portrait and narrative pieces.

Answer 2

Dramatic contrast of light and dark

Answer 3

When light is directed at a subject from a particular direction, the resulting effect is a contrast between light and dark shadows that play across the subjects surface. The result is chiaroscuro.