Chiaroscuro Collection (page 27)

The sacrifice. Print shows the Roman knight Mutius Scaevola putting his hand into a flame while a group of Etruscans stands by. Date between ca. 1520 and 1700

Four doctors of the church(?). Print shows four men gathered together in scholarly work. Two of the men hold books, while one man takes notes. Date between 1500 and 1551

Diogenes with the featherless cock. Print showing Diogenes, full length portrait, sitting before an open book, holding a stick in right hand; a featherless rooster

Christ healing the paralytic man. Allegorical print showing an angel appearing above a crowd of people in a temple. Date between 1540 and 1560

An apostle (Paul?). Print shows a bearded man turned to the left with his right hand on his shoulder. Date between 1500 and 1552

The cardinal and the doctor

The infant Christ prefiguring the passion. Print shows the infant Jesus resting on a cross with a crown of thorns and nails in the foreground. Date between ca. 1600 and 1750

The death of Ananias. Print shows Ananias lying on the ground in front of the disciples and other observers. The disciple Peter condemns him for telling a lie. Date between 1515 and 1535

The Blessed Virgin

Temperance. Allegorical print showing a woman as Temperance, one of the cardinal virtues, seated, facing right, pouring liquid from a chalice, possibly diluting wine with water

An apostle. Print shows a bearded man standing. Date between 1500 and 1552

The Tiburtine sibyl and the Emperor Augustus. Print shows a female prophet directing Emperor Augustuss gaze upward towards a group of spirits in the clouds. Date between ca. 1500 and 1550

Christ curing the lepers. Print shows Jesus, with his disciples, raising his arm to ten lepers who kneel before him. Date 1608

St. Philip (or Andrew?). Print shows St. Philip standing with a cross in one hand and a book in the other hand. Date between 1500 and 1552

Christ at the table of Simon the Pharisee. Print shows Jesus sitting at one end of a table at which others are seated. He talks to Simon while another person washes his feet. Date 1609

Adam and Eve. Date 1504

St. Jerome. Print shows Saint Jerome in adoration before a crucifix. Date 1637

Herodiade. Print shows Herodiade and Salome with the severed head of St. John the Baptist. Date 1631

Study of a giant. Print shows a nude male giant struggling under the weight of a boulder. Date 1638

Sibyll holding a tablet. Allegorical print shows a seated woman with a tablet, quill, and pot of ink. Date between 1630 and 1655

Sibyll. Print shows a seated woman holding a tablet and quill, conversing with a putto. Date between 1630 and 1655

The Virgin, Child, and St. John the Baptist. Print shows Mary and infant Jesus with young St. John the Baptist. Date 1647

The Virgin and Child. Print shows Mary and infant Jesus. Date between 1630 and 1655

Head of the Virgin. Print shows Virgin Mary. Date between 1630 and 1655

S. Carlo Borromeo

The entombment

Landscape (with hermit or saint in prayer). Print shows cave by a church and the sea, with a man dressed in a monks robe praying at a cross on a rock. Date 1630

Christ carrying the cross. Print shows Jesus Christ struggling under the weight of the cross. Date 1592

The Virgin, Child, and a bishop. Print shows Madonna and Child with bishop kneeling beside them. Date 1591

Mutius Scaevola. Print shows the Roman hero Mutius Scaevola, who saved Rome from the Etruscan king Lars Porsena in ca. 509 B.C. putting his hand into the fire. Date between 1584 and 1610

Eve after the Fall. Print shows Eve covering herself with a fig tree branch. Date 1586

The Virgin, Child, and saints. Print shows Madonna and Child surrounded by saints. Date 1585

Virtue. Allegorical print shows a semi-nude female figure resisting two males, one with wings on his head and one with a blindfold over his eyes, a second female, and a blindfolded cupid. Date 1585

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Chiaroscuro, a term derived from the Italian words "chiaro" meaning light and "scuro" meaning dark, refers to the technique of using strong contrasts between light and shadow in visual arts. This artistic method has been employed by numerous renowned artists throughout history, such as Diego Velazquez, Raphael, and many others. In Diego Velazquez's painting "Old Woman Cooking Eggs, " created in 1618, chiaroscuro is evident through the dramatic interplay of light and shadow on the subject's face. The contrast highlights her weathered features while adding depth and dimension to the overall composition. Similarly, in his masterpiece "Christ before the High Priest, " painted in 1617, Velazquez skillfully uses chiaroscuro to emphasize Christ's solemn expression amidst a dimly lit setting. The play of light enhances both the emotional intensity of the scene and creates a sense of mystery. Another notable example is Albrecht Dürer's engraving titled "Melencolia I. " Created during the Renaissance period, this artwork showcases intricate details illuminated by contrasting areas of darkness. Chiaroscuro here serves not only as an aesthetic choice but also symbolizes melancholy itself. Moving forward in time to Jan van Kessel II's still life painting "Still Life of Asparagus" from 1699; chiaroscuro plays a significant role in highlighting each individual stalk against a dark background. This technique adds realism to the arrangement while creating an atmosphere that draws attention to every delicate detail. Raphael's monumental work "The Transfiguration of Christ, " completed between 1516-1520, exemplifies how they are be used for narrative purposes. By employing strong contrasts between light and shadow on different figures within this religious scene, Raphael effectively guides viewers' focus towards key elements or characters. Even modern artists have embraced this technique.