Visual
Impact
Using Value in Art
The Flagellation of Christ
286 x 213 cm
Naples, Pinacoteca di Capodimonte
Detail of Judith
144 x 195 cm
Rome, Galleria Nazionale di Arte Antica
What is VALUE?
An element of art that refers to luminance or luminosity --
the lightness or darkness of a color. Value is
an especially important element in works of art when color
is absent. This is particularly likely with drawings,
woodcuts, lithographs, and photographs. The Calling of St. Matthew
1599-1600
Oil on canvas, 322 x 340 cm
Contarelli Chapel, San Luigi dei Francesi,
Rome
Caravaggio
• Born Michelangelo Merisi, Sept. 28, 1573 in Caravaggio,
Italy.
• Orphaned at 11 years old.
• At first worked as an assistant to other painters.
• Painted in a highly realistic manner using models he found
on the streets.
The Crucifixion of Saint Peter
1600-01; Oil on canvas, 90 1/2 x 70 in;
Cerasi Chapel, Santa Maria del Popola,
Rome
More on CARAVAGGIO
• Violent.
• Fled from Rome and reached Naples probably in 1607.
• Went to Malta in 1608, and was received as a celebrated
artist.
• Wrongfully arrested and held for two days.
• Missed the boat back to Rome. The boat had his
belongings.
• Collapsed on the beach and died a few days later (July
18, 1610).
The Deposition
1604; Pinacoteca Vaticana in Rome 300 x 203 cm
Chiaroscuro:
A word borrowed from Italian ("light and shade" or
"dark") referring to the modeling of volume by
depicting light and shade by contrasting them
boldly.
Tenebrism:
Tenebroso is an Italian word, literally meaning dark and
gloomy. Both tenebroso and its English equivalent,
tenebrism, refer to a style of painting characterized by
high contrast between light and shade -- emphasis
placed on chiaroscuro to achieve dark, dramatic effects.
Frequently the main subjects of tenebrist pictures are
illuminated by a single source of light, as if a spotlight
shone upon them, leaving other areas in darkness.
Conversion on the Way to Damascus
1601
230 cm x 175 cm
Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome
David
116 x 91 cm
Madrid, Prado
David and Goliath
undated; Oil on canvas; Prado, Madrid
Supper at Emmaus
c. 1600-01; Oil on canvas, 54 3/4 x 76 3/4 in; National Gallery, London The Incredulity of Saint Thomas
1601-02; Oil on canvas, 42 1/8 x 57 1/2 in; Neues Palais, Potsdam Value from
Other Artists
INGRES
High key value
Low key value
What is the difference in feeling?
Why black-and-white?
Questions to ask:
1. Where does the tone seem to get very bright on the
lightest parts? 2. What happens to the tone way down under by the
table on the dark side? 3. What happens to the table tone itself under the
object?
4. Where can you find gradations from lighter to
darker on the object and on the table?
5. Where is the reflected light that lightens some of
dark parts on the object? 6. Where is the reflected light that lightens some of
dark parts on the table? 7. Which areas have fairly abrupt gradations?
8. Which areas have fairly gradual gradations?
Parts of the Shadow
• Cast Shadow=blocked light in the shape of the object
•  Shadow Core=darkest part of the shadow
• Shadow Edge= abrupt edge that defines the light from the shadow
• Mid-tones=darker values that define the shadow form
• Reflected Light=bounce light from other surfaces around the object;
always darker than the darkest area in the light
Parts of the Light
• Highlight=the brightest area; shaped like the light source; direct
reflection of the light source
• Halftones=the darker tones of the light that define the form
Shadow Values
Light Values
Halftones
Midtones
A change of direction constitutes a change of value.
The stroke should always follow the form.
All objects have a general appearance of both color and value.