26 May 2019
chiaroscuro
[kee-ahr-uh-skyoo r-oh]
noun, plural chi·a·ro·scu·ros.
the distribution of light and shade in a picture.
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.
a woodcut print in which the colors are produced by the use of different blocks with different colors.
Origin of chiaroscuro
1680–90; < Italian, equivalent to chiaro bright (< Latin clārus ) + oscuro dark (< Latin obscūrus ). See clear, obscure
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for chiaroscuro
shadowy, shaded, leafy, cloudy, cool, dim, dusky, indistinct, sheltered, vague, screened, umbrageous, adumbral, bosky, chiaroscuro, shadowed
Examples from the Web for chiaroscuro
Contemporary Examples of chiaroscuro
This chiaroscuro portrait, intended only to sell underwear, comes alarmingly close to capturing the man.
The Daily Beast logo
Will the Real Jim Palmer Please Stand Up
Tom Boswell
September 27, 2014
Historical Examples of chiaroscuro
No chiaroscuro is so difficult as this; and none so noble, chaste, or impressive.
Modern Painters Volume I (of V)
John Ruskin
I was in train to interpret for Ma’moiselle the chiaroscuro.
The Pigeon (Third Series Plays)
John Galsworthy
In chiaroscuro , and in delicacy of execution he is not inferior to his master.
Six Centuries of Painting
Randall Davies
Thus they were familiar with chiaroscuro before the European painters.
Chinese Painters
Raphael Petrucci
The typical German chiaroscuro was therefore from two blocks.
John Baptist Jackson
Jacob Kainen
Today’s quote
Never ruin an apology with an excuse.
― Benjamin Franklin
One this day
26 May – National Sorry Day. Since 1998, National Sorry Day occurs on 26 May every year to commemorate the maltreatment of Australia’s indigenous population.
26 May 1890 – Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula, is released in England.
26 May 1913 – birth of Peter Cushing OBE, English actor who mostly appeared in Hammer Horror films, including The Curse of Frankenstein and Dracula (in which he played vampire hunter, Van Helsing). Died 11 August 1994.
26 May 2012 – death of Festus, our beloved and most awesome budgie.