History Main / Chiaroscuro

FilmNoir is fond of it, but it is found in all sorts of works in visual media, whether constantly or to underscore moments of high drama. A great number of critics and satirists have pointed out that mainstream videogames and movies are drifting towards this.

* Filipino artist [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Amorsolo Fernando Amorsolo]], is often fond of this technique in an inverted manner, where he paints the countryside landscapes being illuminated in sunlight while the people are cast in shadow.

* The art style known as tenebrism (from the Italian word for "dark" and/or "murky") has this effect as its main selling point.

[[caption-width-right:320:Tenebrism: Chiaroscuro UpToEleven]]

* ''Film/IAmLegend'' has it when Neville enters a building after his dog.
* ''Film/{{Serenity}}'' used this in the scene on Haven when Shepard Book is advising Mal.
* ''Film/{{Alien}}'' and its sequels
* On this aspect, ''Film/TheElementOfCrime'' is essentially ''Film/BladeRunner'' [[UpToEleven turned up to eleven]].
* ''Film/LastOfTheMohicans'', particularly the Fort scenes.
* ''Film/InlandEmpire'' uses this to create an unsettling, dreamlike atmosphere.

Contrast HollywoodDarkness, when even the dark isn't dark. See also MoodLighting and ColorContrast. Not to be confused with DarkerAndEdgier, since this trope is typically used to highlight the [[AWorldHalfFull bright spots]].

* ''ComicBook/{{Hellboy}}'', and many of the other works of Mike Mignola. After all, it is his SignatureStyle to have things largely defined by their shadows.

* ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' had one with the Captain. When Ted and the Captain get on the boat and they set sail, the Captain's face is divided by a shadow into a smile and an evil glare.

* The classic [[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2586n_madonna-vogue_music music video]] for {{Music/Madonna}}'s "Vogue."

* The music video for [[Music/FaceValue"In the Air Tonight"]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkADj0TPrJA&ob=av2n]] by Music/PhilCollins, which also includes FaceFramedInShadow.

* Music/TalkingHeads used this extensively in their live shows, particularly the ''Music/SpeakingInTongues'' tour (as documented in ''Film/StopMakingSense''). As seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXJgt8rLMC4 here]] (note 4:50, when David Byrne goes ''ballistic'').

* The music video for "In the Air Tonight" [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkADj0TPrJA&ob=av2n]] by Music/PhilCollins which also includes FaceFramedInShadow.

* Music/TalkingHeads used this extensively in their live shows, particularly the ''Stop Making Sense'' tour. As seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXJgt8rLMC4 here]] (note 4:50, when David Byrne goes ''ballistic'').

* ''Film/{{Halloween 1978}}'' is an excellent example of this trope's use in horror. The multiple shadows provide so many places for the killer to hide in, the viewer can't tell where he'll jump out from. Particularly notable is the white mask which seems to 'materialize' out of the shadows.

* The ''primary game mechanic'' of ''VideoGame/Closure''. Everything is in black, white, and varying shades of grey. The ''only'' things visible are things illuminated by light sources. Everything else is completely black...and intangible. The world is literally what you can see.

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* Creator/NormanRockwell's ''Art/TheProblemWeAllLiveWith'' contrasts Ruby Bridges' dark skin with her stark white dress, drawing the eye to her.
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* The character sprites in ''VisualNovel/HiganbanaNoSakuYoruNi'' are drawn with [[http://visual-test.fr/images/higanbanaa.jpg completely black shadows]], to go with the dark and rather stiffening atmosphere of the story.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'', when Gothel closes all the windows and explains to Rapunzel it's too dangerous, the scene uses extensive chiaroscuro.

* There is an actual technique prevalent in all types of vocal music by this name. It focuses on the ideal of finding a balance in one's voice between being covered and dark, and open and light. The truck is to be right in the middle where both are present.

* The [[YouDirtyRat main villain]] of ''Literature/TheTaleOfDespereaux'' is given this name, which becomes [[MeaningfulName much more important]] as the story goes on

* The intense juxtaposition of Eve's white skin and the black of the snakes and the shadows in ''Art/TheSin'' are mean to emphasize Eve's attractive form as as the snake hides in the darkness, ready to strike.

* Used achieve an otherworldly effect in the first two ''Manga/UruseiYatsura'' movies (especially Beautiful Dreamer), as well as some of his final TV episodes.

The term comes from Italian, where it means [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "light-dark"]]. English words derived from the same root are, respectively, "Clear" and "Obscure". It's pronounced as "Kia-ro-skoo-ro", not "Shia-ro-".