Chiaroscuro
Introduction
Arts and architecture has been in the long run a significant tool depicting stunning reality visual effects. Chiaroscuro as a technique done during the renaissance in Italy initially pioneered by Leonardo da Vinci and later perfected through the works of Rembrandt. This has contributed to the creation of paintings significant to the society and the history of art. Through the application of the technique as in manipulating and contrasting shadow and light, Rembrandt, which proved to be the greatest of the trademarks of his unique style, achieved three art effects: rhythmic, visual harmony, dramatic intensity and psychological depth. Professor William Klose has been the key contributor in the analysis of this famous, unique style, in the work of art, in his lectures. During Rembrandt study of the artwork of Caravaggio and Da Vinci, it led to the achievement of dramatic action intensification with relevancy to the era of the paintings (Kloss, Lecture 1, 12:10).
The subject, the interpretation and style, the context, and emotion elements
Rembrandt places the point of perfect illumination with simultaneous muting of elements in creativity of central, active figure. Some of Rembrandts work includes self-portrait as St.Paul, Nightwatch and Two scholars disputing incorporates happenings and implies meanings with critical calculations of shadow and light manipulation frequently creating atmospheric moods. The creativity imbuing his artwork gives them a sense of enthusiasm that glows with mystery and gloom sense sometimes. Some of the chiaroscuro work bears religious inclination making it easier for any viewer to draw understanding of the paintings subject matter. Through the application of explanatory titles, the viewer is expected to depicted clichés of the bible in order to access the implications of the artist (Kloss, Lecture 5, 18:10).
Most of the paintings having the rhythmic, visual harmony were easy to interpret creating a sense of procedural patterns and movement. An example of some of his work includes The night watch constituting of contrapuntal lighting rhythms that give rise to a critical, visual deep shadow poetry that alters with luxuriant and rich color highlighting. The viewer is inspired to get access to meaningful content in the piece of work into dynamic shade and light patterns. Painting is a tremendous benefit in the interpretation of artistic piece of art as demonstrated by Klose. This is through the lecture approaches to European art where chiaroscuro paintings contexts are observable through shadows. Klose applies examples including the Nightwatch to analyze on certain features. This portrait replicates the Bible night watch with believers assembled to stay overnight to see Jesus being born. In this portrait, Rembrandts applies ceremonial quasimusical arrangement that assists any viewer to have a glimpse on the happenings context (Kloss, Lecture 34, 26:10).
Rembrandts evoke psychological dimensional depth leading to the appreciation of unquestionable mastery in the technique. The faces of the portraits are rendered with deep marks of shadows resulting to deciphering of the viewer. The expressive portrait shading converges around facial hollows giving the artwork spatial sense of depth. The eyes show remoteness and detaches from the portraits rendered scene leading to the creation of a suggestion focusing inwardly into emotion or idea powerfully conveyed. Furthermore, the arts facial shadings pick up shadows that surround the portraits figure hence visually connects to introspective detachment of the figure (Kloss, Lecture 34, 26:10).
Conclusion
The portraits in the artwork of Rembrandts appear to create a glimpse of figures with the contents remaining shrouded in shadow. This results to the portraits appearing to offer the viewer a glimpse into the creative mind figures of Rembrandts. The elements draw out a strong sense of seriousness opening up the minds review of precise figures to the nature of feelings and thoughts implied by the dark. Rembrandt’s achievement renders dramatic observable intensity through the elements. This is with visual rhythms and effective signals to the absolute mastery of the chiaroscuro technique. Therefore, it is considerable with substantial justification deal that the art of lovers currently regarding Rembrandt as a unique master of shadow and light (Kloss, Lecture 5, 18:10).
Work cited
William Klose. Lecture 5: Approaches to European Art. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXnjhIJZ1C8
