CHIAROSCURO (n.)
FILTERS
LINKED QUOTATIONS
Quotation
Chiaro-Scuro.
It is taken in two Senses : first, Painting in Chiaro-Scuro, is meant, when there are only two Colours employed. Secondly, It is taken for the disposing of the Lights and Shadows Skilfully ; as when we say, A Painter understands well the Chiaro-Scuro.
Le terme painting est ici compris dans un sens large, comprenant le dessin.
Conceptual field(s)
Quotation
Chiaro-Scuro.
It is taken in two Senses : first, Painting in Chiaro-Scuro, is meant, when there are only two Colours employed. Secondly, It is taken for the disposing of the Lights and Shadows Skilfully ; as when we say, A Painter understands well the Chiaro-Scuro.
Conceptual field(s)
Quotation
Friend,
Pray what is painting in Chiaro Scuro ?
Traveller.
It is a manner of Painting that comes nearer Design than Colouring, it being first taken from the Imitation of the Statues of Marble, or of Bronze, or other Stones, and it is much used upon the Outside, and Fronts of Great Houses and Palaces, in Stories which seem to be of Marble, or Porphire, or any other Stone the Painter thinks fit to Imitate.
This Way of Painting, which seldom employs above two Colours, may be done in Fresco upon a Wall, which is the best Way ; or upon Cloth, and then it is most commonly employed for Designs of Triumphal Arches, and in Decorations of the Stage for Plays, and other such Entertainments Vassary, gives the secret of doing it either Way.
Conceptual field(s)
Quotation
We will now lay down a few Precepts necessary to be observ’d and so conclude this Discourse of Chiaro Scuro.
In Light we must consider the Sun in his Luster, as Rising, Meridionall, Setting and according to the Vapours he meets in the Air. [...].
We must Consider Lights as Principall falling Perpendicular (without Interruption) on any Surface or Extremity. Glancing by sliding Diagonally on Elevated Bodys. And Secondary, for things at distance, according to the Thickness of Vapours which Intervene, and offer many incidental opportunitys for giving the more Beauty to the stronger Lights ; as likewise loosen the Lighted parts by the opposition of the deep Teints.
If the Design be in the open Air, the Light is extended and diffus’d on the Objects with the greater Tenderness. If in Inclosed Places, it is more confin’d, the Lightnings more strong and Quick.
The Chief Light must be on the Principall Figure of the Group, and must be extended without the Interruption of little shaddows, that the Relievo may stand more boldly out.
All Shaddow must have a Sympathy with the Lights in their Colour as likewise the Reflections with the Bodys Reflecting. Arteficial Lights, if very bright, give a quick Heightning, and dark and deeply shortned Shaddows.
Lastly it must be carefully observ’d that betwixt all Lights and Shaddows there must be such Mediums, as may take of all Hardness, and so Arteficially wrought in as may not foul either with the other and so take away the Beauty and strength of the Picture.