CHIARO-OSCURO • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Chiaro-oscuro

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noun

Chiaro-oscuro, Chiaroscuro n.

The arrangement of light and dark parts in a work of art, such as a drawing or painting, whether in monochrome or in color.

The art or practice of so arranging the light and dark parts as to produce a harmonious effect. Cf. Clair-obscur.

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Etymology of 'Chiaro-oscuro'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Chiaro-oscuro" Quotes from Famous Books

... and closing his eyes; keeping this melancholy picture by his bed-side as long as he lived, to remind him of his mortality[133]. Young, even in his garden, had his conceits of death: at the end of an avenue was viewed a seat of an admirable chiaro-oscuro, which, when approached, presented only a painted surface, with an inscription, alluding to the deception of the things of this world. To be looking at "the mirror which flatters not;" to discover ourselves only as a skeleton with the horrid life of corruption about us, has ...

— Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 (of 3) • Isaac D'Israeli

... stripes adorned with festoons, and a thousand plump chairs, couches, and luxurious settees covered with linen of the same pattern, and with a bow-window commanding the prospect, and gloomed with limes that shade half each window, already darkened with painted glass in chiaroscuro, set in deep blue glass. Under this room is a cool little hall, where we generally dine, hung with paper to imitate ...

— The Letters of Horace Walpole, Volume 2 • Horace Walpole

... One does not comprehend all this, Monsieur, without well studying. I was in train to interpret for Ma'moiselle the chiaroscuro. ...

— Forsyte Saga • John Galsworthy