Chiaroscuro

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Chiaroscuro
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Chiaroscuro is a method for applying value to a
two-dimensional piece of artwork to create the
illusion of a three-dimensional solid form.
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CHIAROSCURO
The term is derived from the Italian chiaro
("light or bright) and oscuro ("dark") and
generally refers to a technique that contrasts
bright illumination with areas of dense shadow.
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This way of working was devised during the
Italian Renaissance in the 16th century and was
used by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and
later, Vermeer. Chiaroscuro is seldom found in
pre-Renaissance or in non-Western art. 
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Leonardo da Vinci
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Portrait of a Lady from the Court of Milan,
called La Belle Ferronniere," Leonardo da
Vinci 1490-95
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Lady with an Ermine Da Vinci 1483-1490
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Mona Lisa also known as La Gioconda, the wife of
Francesco del Giocondo 1503-06 Oil on wood,
Louvre, Paris
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Ginevra de' Benci Oil on wood, National
Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
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"Benois Madonna," Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1478  
About his technique, he said I would remind you
O Painter! To dress your figures in the lightest
colors you can, since, if you put them in dark
colors, they will be in too slight relief and
inconspicuous from a distance. And this is
because the shadows of all objects are dark. And
if you make a dress dark there is little variety
between the lights and shadows, while in light
colors there will be greater variety.
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Vermeer
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The Girl with a Pearl Earring 47x40
1665
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The Milkmaid 1658-60
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Woman in Blue reading a Letter
1662-64
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Woman with a Water Jug New York, Metropolitan
Museum 46x42 1664-65
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The Love Letter 44x38 1669-70
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Sargent
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Mrs. Joshua Montgomery Sears 1899 Oil on canvas
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NAME PERIOD HOMEROOM Component Grading for
Chiaroscuro Figure
possible 1. Cropped to touch 3 sides
25 interesting negative space 2.
Shows Movement 15 3. Use of Greek
figure proportions 20 looks real -
not like a cartoon 4. Use of Media Material to
show 20 Highlight Shadow
(Chiaroscuro) shows at least 5
values(D,MD,M,ML,L) 5. Presentation (overall
look) 20
TOTAL POINTS 100