The treatment of light and shadow in drawing and painting — particularly the bold contrast between lit and unlit areas to create a sense of depth and drama.

From the Italian chiaro (bright, clear) and oscuro (dark, obscure) — the name describes its core technique of setting bright against dark.

Most closely associated with Caravaggio and Rembrandt, who pushed the technique to extremes, using near-total darkness from which forms emerged dramatically into the light.

Also used as a term in printmaking, referring specifically to woodcuts printed in multiple tones to simulate the light-and-shade effects of a painting.

Leonardo da Vinci coined the term chiaroscuro in his Treatise on Painting, though the technique itself is considerably older and can be traced to ancient Greek vase painting.