noun

chiaroscuro

/ˌkiːˌɑːroʊˈskʊroʊ/ · say it: kee·ah·roh·SKOO·roh

the treatment of light and shade in painting

In Arts & Culture

In more detail

1. (noun) a technique in art where light and shadow are used together in strong contrasts to create a dramatic effect

2. (noun) the interplay of light and shadow in a painting or other visual work

Examples

1. The artist used chiaroscuro to make the figures in the painting seem to glow against the dark background.
2. Caravaggio's paintings are famous for their striking chiaroscuro.

How to use chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro is primarily used in art history, criticism, and artistic discussion to describe a specific compositional technique emphasizing dramatic contrasts between light and shadow. It appears in both literal contexts (referring to actual paintings or prints) and metaphorical ones (describing any striking contrast of opposites). The term carries an artistic, somewhat sophisticated tone and is more common in formal or academic contexts than everyday speech.

Common phrases

chiaroscuro effect
chiaroscuro technique
chiaroscuro painting
master of chiaroscuro
chiaroscuro lighting
use chiaroscuro

Synonyms

light and shadow · tenebrism · contrast of lights and darks · dramatic lighting · interplay of light and dark

Word family

chiaroscurist (noun) · chiaroscuresque (adjective, rare)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes mispronounce it or confuse it with a single Italian word rather than recognizing it as a compound of Italian 'chiaro' (clear/light) and 'scuro' (dark/obscure).

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD