chiaroscuro

Meanings

1. An artistic technique developed during the Renaissance, referring to the use of strong contrasts between light and dark in order to create the illusion of volume.
2. A monochrome picture made by using several different shades of the same color.
3. A woodcut technique in which several woodcut blocks are used to print different shades of a color, or a woodcut print made by this technique.
4. A photographic technique in which one side of the subject, for example a face, is well lit and the other is in shadow.

1. Possessing the qualities of a work of chiaroscuro.

Etymology

Mid-17th century, borrowed from Italian chiaroscuro, from chiaro (“clear, bright”) + oscuro (“dark, obscure”).