FROM THE ARCHIVESunday, October 18, 2026
chiaroscuro
kyar-uh-SKOOR-oh/ˌkjɑɹəˈskʊɹoʊ//noun
01 / MEANING
The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to give an image depth and drama.
In a sentence.
- 01
The portrait uses chiaroscuro to give the face a sculpted look.
- 02
The photographer created chiaroscuro with a single lamp and a dark wall.
Where it came from.
Borrowed from Italian chiaroscuro, combining chiaro, ‘bright,’ and oscuro, ‘dark.’ The two halves describe the technique's opposing tones.
Explore the sourceWhy it’s interesting.
An art term that contains its own recipe: put brightness beside darkness and form begins to emerge.