Definition of: chiaroscuro

(kē·är′ə·skyr′ō) noun plural ·ros
1. The distribution and treatment of lights and shades in a picture.
2. A kind of painting or drawing using only light and shade to achieve its effects of depth, design, etc.
3. The characteristic use or mastery of light and shade by an artist. Also called clair-obscure. Also chi·a·ro·o·scu·ro (kē·är′ə·ō·skyr′ō). [<Ital. <chiaro clear (<L clarus) + oscuro dim, obscure <L obscurus]
—chi·a′ro·scu′rist noun