Chiaroscuro

chiaroscuro; strong light-dark contrast in painting

noun kia-ro-SKOO-ro Rare

Origin: from Italian chiaro (light) and scuro (dark)

Usage Note

Chiaroscuro describes the dramatic use of light and deep shadow to model form, associated with Caravaggio and Rembrandt. Neutral noun (das Chiaroscuro); also written Helldunkel in German.

Examples

"Das Chiaroscuro in Rembrandts Selbstporträts erzeugt eine intensive psychologische Tiefe."

Natural Translation

The chiaroscuro in Rembrandt's self-portraits creates an intense psychological depth.

Literal Translation

The chiaroscuro in Rembrandt's self-portraits creates an intense psychological depth.

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

German Modal Verbs: Können, Müssen, Wollen and More

German modal verbs put the modal in position 2 and the real verb at the end. Master können, müssen, wollen and the rest with charts and clear examples.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

German Numbers 1–100: Why 21 Is Said Backwards

German numbers 1 to 100 reverse the digits: 21 is einundzwanzig (one-and-twenty). Learn the und rule, the irregulars, and how to hear prices fast.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

Order Food in German: Restaurant Phrases

Order food in German with confidence: use ich hätte gern, read the Speisekarte, ask die Rechnung bitte, and handle zusammen oder getrennt like a local.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

German Two-Way Prepositions: Accusative or Dative?

Use accusative for movement into a place (wohin?) and dative for a fixed location (wo?). Master all nine German two-way prepositions with one simple test.

June 9, 2026 6 min read