Chiaroscuro Collection (page 2)

Christ on the cross, late 17th-early 18th century. Creator: Jean Ranc
Christ on the cross, late 17th-early 18th century

Head of Christ. Creator: Unknown
Head of Christ, Unknown date

The Penitent Magdalen. Creator: Cecco del Caravaggio
The Penitent Magdalen, Unknown date

The Three Maries at the Tomb, 16th century. Creator: Anon
The Three Maries at the Tomb, 16th century

Self-portrait, 1896. Creator: Anders Leonard Zorn
Self-portrait, 1896

Ladies at a Flower-table, 1894. Creator: Wilhelm Peters
Ladies at a Flower-table, 1894

The Sleeping Officer, late 17th century. Creator: Jacob Ochtervelt
The Sleeping Officer, late 17th century

Saint Sebastian Attended by Saint Irene, c1889. Creator: Jean Jacques Henner
Saint Sebastian Attended by Saint Irene, c1889

Portrait of Madame Paul Duchesne-Fournet (image 2 of 5), 1879. Creator: Jean Jacques Henner
Portrait of Madame Paul Duchesne-Fournet (image 2 of 5), 1879. Jean-Jacques Henner's portrait of Madame Paul Duchesne-Fournet, the wife of a prominent politician of the French Third Republic

Heroic Landscape with Women at Brook, Child Fishing, and Herdsmen, 1744. Creator: John Baptist Jackson
Heroic Landscape with Women at Brook, Child Fishing, and Herdsmen, 1744. From Six landscapes

Statuette of Neptune, c1738. Creator: John Baptist Jackson
Statuette of Neptune, c1738

A Musical Party (image 2 of 2), c1626. Creator: Valentin de Boulogne
A Musical Party (image 2 of 2), c1626

Casting the Dice for Life or Death, 1680-1720. Creator: Jan van Huchtenburg
Casting the Dice for Life or Death, 1680-1720

Alcon Slaying the Serpent, 1510-15. Creator: Hans Wechtlin the Elder
Alcon Slaying the Serpent, 1510-15

The Meeting of Odysseus and Nausicaa, c.1630-c.1640. Creator: Jacob Jordaens
The Meeting of Odysseus and Nausicaa, c.1630-c.1640

The Ascension of Elijah, 1627. Creator: David Colijns
The Ascension of Elijah, 1627

St Peter's Denial, 1642. Creator: Leonard Bramer
St Peter's Denial, 1642

Still Life with Fruit, 1668. Creator: Johannes Hannot
Still Life with Fruit, 1668

The Entombment, c.1640-1652. Creator: Benjamin Gerritz Cuyp
The Entombment, c.1640-1652

Four Apricots on a Stone Plinth, 1698. Creator: Adriaen Coorte
Four Apricots on a Stone Plinth, 1698

Aeneas Carrying His Father, Anchises, 1643. Creator: Ludolph Busing
Aeneas Carrying His Father, Anchises, 1643

Moses with the Tables of the Law, n.d. Creator: Ludolph Busing
Moses with the Tables of the Law, n.d

Male Nude in the Studio of Bonnat, 1877. Creator: Laurits Tuxen
Male Nude in the Studio of Bonnat, 1877

Ulysses and Polyphemus, 1701-1780. Creator: John Baptist Jackson
Ulysses and Polyphemus, 1701-1780

A Group of Monks and a Woman, 1780s. Creator: John Skippe
A Group of Monks and a Woman, 1780s

Saint John the Evangelist, 1771. Creator: John Skippe
Saint John the Evangelist, 1771

Male Saint Standing with Folded Arms, Facing to the Right, 1781. Creator: John Skippe
Male Saint Standing with Folded Arms, Facing to the Right, 1781

Male Saint Standing, with Folded Arms, Facing to the Left, 1781. Creator: John Skippe
Male Saint Standing, with Folded Arms, Facing to the Left, 1781

Saint John the Evangelist, 1771. Creator: John Skippe
Saint John the Evangelist, 1771

Saint John the Evangelist, 1782. Creator: John Skippe
Saint John the Evangelist, 1782

Male Saint Standing, with Folded Arms, Facing to the Left, 1781. Creator: John Skippe
Male Saint Standing, with Folded Arms, Facing to the Left, 1781

A Sibyl Reading, 1780s. Creator: John Skippe
A Sibyl Reading, 1780s

Man in Chains, 1808. Creator: John Skippe
Man in Chains, 1808

A Naked Man, Seated, with His Hands Tied, 1782. Creator: John Skippe
A Naked Man, Seated, with His Hands Tied, 1782

Two Shepherds and a Boy. Creator: John Skippe
Two Shepherds and a Boy

A Standing Youth Gesturing to His Right, 1723. Creators: Anton Maria Zanetti, Parmigianino
A Standing Youth Gesturing to His Right, 1723

A Standing Youth Gesturing to His Right, 1723. Creators: Anton Maria Zanetti, Parmigianino
A Standing Youth Gesturing to His Right, 1723

Mucius Scaevola. Creator: Anton Maria Zanetti
Mucius Scaevola

Madonna and Child Enthroned, Saint Jerome and Saint Francis. Creator: Anton Maria Zanetti
Madonna and Child Enthroned, Saint Jerome and Saint Francis

Pastoral Scene, 1741. Creator: Anton Maria Zanetti
Pastoral Scene, 1741

Two Children Petting a Lamb, 1725. Creator: Anton Maria Zanetti
Two Children Petting a Lamb, 1725

The Man of Sorrows Standing, 1522. Creator: Hans Weiditz
The Man of Sorrows Standing, 1522

Knight and the Servant, c. 1518. Creator: Hans Wechtlin the Elder
Knight and the Servant, c. 1518

Skull, 1520. Creator: Hans Wechtlin the Elder
Skull, 1520

Pyrgoteles. Creator: Hans Wechtlin the Elder
Pyrgoteles

The Adoration of the Magi. Creator: Giuseppe Nicola Rossigliani
The Adoration of the Magi

Saturn, 1525/1530. Creator: Giuseppe Nicola Rossigliani
Saturn, 1525/1530

Saturn, 1525/1530. Creator: Giuseppe Nicola Rossigliani
Saturn, 1525/1530

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Chiaroscuro, a term derived from the Italian words "chiaro" meaning light and "scuro" meaning dark, refers to the technique of using strong contrasts between light and shadow in visual arts. This artistic method has been employed by numerous renowned artists throughout history, such as Diego Velazquez, Raphael, and many others. In Diego Velazquez's painting "Old Woman Cooking Eggs, " created in 1618, chiaroscuro is evident through the dramatic interplay of light and shadow on the subject's face. The contrast highlights her weathered features while adding depth and dimension to the overall composition. Similarly, in his masterpiece "Christ before the High Priest, " painted in 1617, Velazquez skillfully uses chiaroscuro to emphasize Christ's solemn expression amidst a dimly lit setting. The play of light enhances both the emotional intensity of the scene and creates a sense of mystery. Another notable example is Albrecht Dürer's engraving titled "Melencolia I. " Created during the Renaissance period, this artwork showcases intricate details illuminated by contrasting areas of darkness. Chiaroscuro here serves not only as an aesthetic choice but also symbolizes melancholy itself. Moving forward in time to Jan van Kessel II's still life painting "Still Life of Asparagus" from 1699; chiaroscuro plays a significant role in highlighting each individual stalk against a dark background. This technique adds realism to the arrangement while creating an atmosphere that draws attention to every delicate detail. Raphael's monumental work "The Transfiguration of Christ, " completed between 1516-1520, exemplifies how they are be used for narrative purposes. By employing strong contrasts between light and shadow on different figures within this religious scene, Raphael effectively guides viewers' focus towards key elements or characters. Even modern artists have embraced this technique.