The Chiaroscuro Woodcut in Renaissance Italy

The Chiaroscuro Woodcut in Renaissance Italy has been chosen as one of The Best Art Books of 2018 by the New York Times.

The Chiaroscuro Woodcut in Renaissance Italy celebrates the rich history of this medium. The chiaroscuro woodcut—an image created by printing from multiple woodblocks—was one of the earliest, most successful forays into color printing in Europe. Taking its name from the Italian for “light” (chiaro) and “shade” (scuro), the method enabled artists to create sumptuous, tonally nuanced images. The chiaroscuro woodcut flourished in sixteenth-century Italy, where the technique was practiced and refined by some of the era’s most celebrated printmakers.

This catalogue features more than 100 prints and related drawings. Art historical essays trace the origins and evolution of the medium, while scientific analyses provide revolutionary insight into how chiaroscuro woodcuts were produced. Brimming with full-color illustrations of rare and beautiful works, this book illuminates a significant but under-explored element of the Italian Renaissance. 

This catalogue was produced in conjunction with the exhibition The Chiaroscuro Woodcut in Renaissance Italy on view at LACMA from June 3 to September 16, 2018. It was edited by Naoko Takahatake, with contributions by Jonathan Bober, Jamie Gabbarelli, Antony Griffiths, Peter Parshall, and Linda Stiber Morenus.

- Hardcover
- 288 pages, 9.5 x 11 x 1 inches
- 192 color illustrations
- 2018