Chiaroscuro Collection (page 26)

Faith. Allegorical print showing a woman as Faith, one of the theological virtues, holding a chalice, with one knee on a low wall outside a temple(?). Date between 1500 and 1610

Diana hunting the stag. Allegorical print showing the Roman goddess Diana with hunting dogs; on the left, two dogs have caught the stag. Date between 1530 and 1550

Surprise. Allegorical print showing, in an oval, a man as Surprise, one of the states of emotion, with his arms spread as though startled by what he sees. Date between 1500 and 1530, printed later

The Virgin, St. Sebastian and a holy bishop. Print shows three separate vignettes: the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, Saint Sebastian, and a bishop wearing a mitre. Date between 1500 and 1535

Head of Cupid. Print shows head and shoulders of Cupid with eyes closed. Date between ca. 1630 and 1675

The holy family with St. Margaret and a bishop. Allegorical print showing Saint Margaret and a bishop with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Date between 1540 and 1610

Ritual in honor of Psyche. Print showing Psyche standing to the right with urns or incense burners on the ground at her feet, behind her and on the left are several women. Date 1602

Nymphs bathing. Print showing a group of nymphs bathing, attended by putti. Date between 1500 and 1530, printed 1605

Saints Peter and John curing the sick. Print shows the apostles Peter and John raising their hands to heal a cripple seated on the floor in front of them while a group of people watch

The philosopher Diogenes and the allegory of astronomy

A philosopher. Print shows a bearded man turned to the left with his right hand at his shoulder. Date between 1500 and 1552

Venus and cupids. Print shows Venus standing among a group of cupids. Date between 1515 and 1535

Man seated, seen from behind. Print shows a man, possibly Narcissus, seated on a rock in a glade, turned away from a woman, possibly Echo. Date between 1530 and 1550

Apollo and Marsyas. Print showing a contest of musical skill between Apollo and Marsyas (or Pan), seated, holding his pipes. Date between 1500 and 1530

The rest on the flight into Egypt. Print shows Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus taking nourishment from a tree, assisted by several angels, on their journey to Egypt. Date between ca. 1520 and 1700

Martha and Mary Magdalene before Christ. Print shows Martha presenting her sister Mary Magdalene to Jesus, who reaches his arm out to greet them. Several others are seated on the steps around Jesus

St. Peter. Print shows Saint Peter, standing, with a book in his hands. Date between 1500 and 1552

Circe. Print showing Circe, standing on the water, with dragon-like serpents, drinking from a cup in front of sailors as their ship passes. Date between 1500 and 1530, printed later

St. Cecilia. Print showing Saint Cecilia in medallion with two angels, one possibly holding a stringed instrument. Date between 1530 and 1550, printed later

The marriage of St. Catherine. Print shows St. Catherine kneeling next to the infant Jesus seated on his mothers lap. Jesus gives Catherine a ring. Date between ca. 1500 and 1700

The miraculous draught of fishes. Print showing two boats with several men in them, Jesus sitting at the stern of one is telling Simon to launch out into the deep

Stage design for L Ortensio, 1589. Print shows the design for the stage, and a street scene for l Ortensio by Alessandro Piccolomini. Date 1589

Pan. Print showing Pan, right profile view, resting his pipes against a rock. Date between 1500 and 1530

Circe. Print showing Circe, standing on a wharf with dragon-like serpents, offering a drink to sailors as their ship passes. Date between 1500 and 1530, printed later

The resurrection. Print shows Jesus, dressed in a shroud, stepping out of his tomb as it rests in a cave. On the right, the women weap, and on the left, the guards tumble over each other in fright

Charity. Allegorical print showing a woman as Charity, seated beneath a tree, facing front, comforting and nursing three infants. Date between 1540 and 1610

The Virgin in an oval. Print shows the Virgin Mary seated with a child in her lap. Date between ca. 1520 and 1700

Raphael and his beloved. Print showing Raphael standing before Margherita Luti, seated, looking up at him. Date between 1500 and 1530

Jason returning with the golden fleece. Print showing Jason wearing armor and holding sword in right hand, returning to his ship on the left with right arm raised

Fortitude. Allegorical print showing a woman as Fortitude, one of the cardinal virtues, snapping off a portion of a pillar. Date between 1500 and 1610

Saints Peter and John. Print showing two men, one turned to look back at the other, who appears much older. Date between 1500 and 1610

St. Peter preaching the gospel. Print shows the apostle Peter, at left, with arm extended, preaching to a group. Date between 1515 and 1535

The sacrifice. Print shows the Roman knight Mutius Scaevola putting his hand into a flame while a group of Etruscans stands by. Date between ca. 1520 and 1700

Four doctors of the church(?). Print shows four men gathered together in scholarly work. Two of the men hold books, while one man takes notes. Date between 1500 and 1551

Diogenes with the featherless cock. Print showing Diogenes, full length portrait, sitting before an open book, holding a stick in right hand; a featherless rooster

Christ healing the paralytic man. Allegorical print showing an angel appearing above a crowd of people in a temple. Date between 1540 and 1560

An apostle (Paul?). Print shows a bearded man turned to the left with his right hand on his shoulder. Date between 1500 and 1552

The cardinal and the doctor

The infant Christ prefiguring the passion. Print shows the infant Jesus resting on a cross with a crown of thorns and nails in the foreground. Date between ca. 1600 and 1750

The death of Ananias. Print shows Ananias lying on the ground in front of the disciples and other observers. The disciple Peter condemns him for telling a lie. Date between 1515 and 1535

The Blessed Virgin

Temperance. Allegorical print showing a woman as Temperance, one of the cardinal virtues, seated, facing right, pouring liquid from a chalice, possibly diluting wine with water

An apostle. Print shows a bearded man standing. Date between 1500 and 1552

The Tiburtine sibyl and the Emperor Augustus. Print shows a female prophet directing Emperor Augustuss gaze upward towards a group of spirits in the clouds. Date between ca. 1500 and 1550

Christ curing the lepers. Print shows Jesus, with his disciples, raising his arm to ten lepers who kneel before him. Date 1608

St. Philip (or Andrew?). Print shows St. Philip standing with a cross in one hand and a book in the other hand. Date between 1500 and 1552

Christ at the table of Simon the Pharisee. Print shows Jesus sitting at one end of a table at which others are seated. He talks to Simon while another person washes his feet. Date 1609

Adam and Eve. Date 1504

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

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.