A Night in Kansas City, 2021

The use of chiaroscuro, or the contrast between light and dark in paintings, was first used in woodcuts in 16th century Italy. The technique transformed into the bold contrasts known as tenebrismo, popularized in paintings by the master Caravaggio. In tenebrist paintings, figures are portrayed against a background of intense darkness while being illuminated by a bright light. Here the figure looks back at us, as if urging us to follow him. How does the contrasting light and darkness influence how to feel about the subject?