What is Chiaroscuro?

Chiaroscuro is an artistic technique using strong contrasts between light and dark to create dramatic three-dimensional effects and psychological intensity. Developed during the Renaissance and perfected by Baroque artists like Caravaggio, the technique creates theatrical, emotionally charged atmospheres. While predating Surrealism by centuries, many Surrealist painters employed chiaroscuro to enhance the dreamlike quality of their work. Dramatic lighting isolates figures, creates mystery, and guides emotional response. Related to tenebrism (an extreme form of chiaroscuro), these lighting techniques remain essential tools for creating atmosphere in Dark Art and contemporary surrealist painting.