What Is Chiaroscuro Lighting?

Chiaroscuro lighting refers to a style of high contrast lighting of a subject against a dark background to create a dramatic and emotional image. Chiaroscuro is an Italian term for light-dark, used to describe the bold contrasting effect in artwork. The term originated during the Renaissance period, and artists who were known for the development and use of chiaroscuro lighting include Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer.

The use of chiaroscuro lighting in film became prevalent during the film noir period when it became a method of creating focus, adding dimensional depth to a scene, and adding depth to a character’s personality and presence.

American filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille is credited with being the first to apply chiaroscuro in film using a lighting setup he called “Rembrandt Lighting” (source). This was while he was directing the 1915 film The Warrens of Virginia. Rembrandt lighting is a lighting setup that uses one light and a reflector (or two lights) to create an inverted triangle shape of light on the subject’s cheek, opposite the light source. The result of this technique creates dramatic lighting effects and dark shadows on the subject’s face.

Get a quick lesson on Rembrandt lighting:

“Why REMBRANDT Lighting Matters | Photography Tips” by Shutterstock Tutorials

Fun Fact: When DeMille’s business partner Sam Goldwyn saw scenes from the film ‘The Warrens of Virginia’ in which only half of an actor’s face was illuminated, he worried that exhibitors would only pay half the price for the picture. Goldwyn was filled with relief when DeMille explained that it was Rembrandt lighting. Goldwyn’s reply was, “For Rembrandt lighting, the exhibitors would pay double!” – Source

Learn more about the history of chiaroscuro and how it works below:

“Lighting Techniques – Chiaroscuro” by EFPlighting

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