chiaroscuro

chi·a·ro·scu·ro  (k-är-skr, -skyr)

n. pl. chi·a·ro·scu·ros In all senses also called claire-obscure.

1. The technique of using light and shade in pictorial representation.

2. The arrangement of light and dark elements in a pictorial work of art.

3.

a. A woodcut technique in which several blocks are used to print different shades of a color.

b. A woodcut print made by this technique.

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[Italian : chiaro, bright, light (from Latin clrus, clear; see kel-² in Indo-European roots) + oscuro, dark (from Latin obscrus; see (s)keu- in Indo-European roots).]

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chi·aro·scurist n.

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chiaroscuro [kee-ah-roh-skew-roh]

Noun

pl -ros the distribution of light and shade in a picture [Italian chiaro clear + oscuro obscure]

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chiaroscuro, chiarooscuro

a technique of painting or drawing using light and shade to achieve a three-dimensional quality. — chiaroscurist, n.

See also: Drawing

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

chiaroscuro - a monochrome picture made by using several different shades of the same color grisaille - chiaroscuro painting or stained glass etc., in shades of grey imitating the effect of relief ikon, picture, icon, image - a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface; "they showed us the pictures of their wedding"; "a movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them"