Chiaroscuro: Mastering Light and Shadow
Chiaroscuro is Italian for light-shadow. In art, it refers to the technique of heavy contrast between light and dark. Caravaggio was one of the first artists to master the technique which became a defining feature of many Baroque paintings.
Caravaggio mastered the technique of chiaroscuro, as displayed in The Denial of Saint Peter. He often used a singular source of light to illuminate features on people and create the heavy contrast. Using an almost completely black background, this painting also displays tenebroso, or dark manner. These techniques allow for emphasis on the narratives constructed in the work. For example, The Denial of Saint Peter depicts the account of St. Peter denying Christ three times after his arrest. Caravaggio gives the narrative deep intensity with his use of Chiaroscuro by emphasizing the complex expressions of the concerned woman and Saint Peter, who shows feelings of shame and guilt for denying Christ. Chiaroscuro became extremely prominent towards the final stages in his career.
His mastery of dark and light contrast is just one way that Caravaggio was revolutionary in his art.