Chiaroscuro Definition

kē-ärə-sko͝orō, -skyo͝orō
chiaroscuros
noun
Light and shade in a painting, drawing, etc. treated so as to produce the illusion of depth, a dramatic effect, etc.
Webster's New World
The arrangement of light and dark elements in a pictorial work of art.
American Heritage
A style of painting, drawing, etc. emphasizing this.
Webster's New World
A painting, drawing, etc. in which chiaroscuro is used.
Webster's New World
A woodcut print made by this technique.
American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Chiaroscuro

Noun

Singular:
chiaroscuro
Plural:
chiaroscuri, chiaroscuros

Origin of Chiaroscuro

  • Italian chiaro bright, light (from Latin clārus clear kelə-2 in Indo-European roots) oscuro dark (from Latin obscūrus (s)keu- in Indo-European roots)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Italian chiaroscuro, from chiaro (“light”) + oscuro (“dark”).

    From Wiktionary

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