Chiaroscuro

[kee-ahr-uh-skyoo r-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.
/kɪˌɑːrəˈskʊərəʊ/
noun (pl) -ros
1.
the artistic distribution of light and dark masses in a picture
2.
monochrome painting using light and dark only, as in grisaille
n.

1680s, “disposition of light and dark in a picture,” literally “bright-dark,” from Italian chiaro “clear, bright” (from Latin clarus; see clear (adj.)) + oscuro (from Latin obscurus; see obscure (adj.)). Related: Chiaroscurist.

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