The Learning Curve: Art Terms - Chiaroscuro

One of the most important things to an artist of any medium is the usuage of light in his or hers work.  Their are numerous techniques and styles devoted to this alone but in art history the universal term we use is Chiaroscuro, its Italian and translates as "light-dark"

Chiaroscuro: Italian: Noun

1. pictorial representation in terms of light and shade without regard to color.
2. a : the arrangement or treatment of light and dark parts in a pictorial work of art b : the interplay or contrast of dissimilar qualities (as of mood or character)
3. 16th century woodcut technique involving the use of several blocks to print different tones of the same  color; also print made by this technique
4. the interplay of light and shadow on or as if on a surface
5. the quality of being veiled or partly in shadow.

Now lets take a look at some examples...

Georges de La Tour - The Education of the Virgin, oil on canvas circa 1600's

Painter Georges de La Tour magnificently displays the usage of real natural lighting with in the painting.  The candle which is the source of light in the scene is partly hidden by the little girls hand. We see the hand glowing from the light behind it. This flame lights up the room they are in. The woman and child are the brightest as the light is between the two and the darkness surronds them, as there is no other light source within the space.  The little girl's face is completely lit while we see a shadow cast on the woman.

still from New Jack City

This scene in New Jack City has always been a favorite in the way it was shot.  The lady on stage dancing with two men below her watching.  The light projecting on her lights the room and cast the stark shadow behind her on to the wall. As the male characters move around the room in front of the projector there bodies cast shadows onto hers.  Its a beautiful contemporary interpretation of film noir and a classic cinematic chiaroscuro scene. 

photo by Irving Penn

                                                                                                                                                         

Irving Penn needs no introduction.  The late great photographer was a master at the art of chiaroscuro. The model with white back drop, very pink dress that becomes sheer as it goes down the leg adding to the shading. The light source is behind her, you can see the shadows creeping up just behind the arms.  The bold contrast in the 3 colors - skin, dress, background make for a wonderful oppurtunity to present the complexities of what chiaruscuro is.  Penn places the model and the light source strategically to get the achieved affects of this "light-dark" photo.