Definition of "chiaroscuro" in English

noun

1. (painting) An artistic technique developed during the Renaissance, referring to the use of strong contrasts between light and dark in order to create the illusion of volume.

2. (painting) A monochrome picture made by using several different shades of the same color.

3. (art) A woodcut technique in which several woodcut blocks are used to print different shades of a color, or a woodcut print made by this technique.

4. (photography) A photographic technique in which one side of the subject, for example a face, is well lit and the other is in shadow.

adjective

1. (figuratively) Possessing the qualities of a work of chiaroscuro.