The use of light and dark shading during the Baroque artistic movement during the seventeenth century was how the artist caught the eye of the observer and brought emphasis to certain areas of the painting. The technique was used by many of the artists of the day and their influence can even be seen in modern times. Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer are two examples of artist that used the elements of light and dark shading.
Rembrandt’s famous Self Portrait is a perfect example of how he used the technique. In the portrait, the aged Rembrandt seriously looks out with a far away look. Most of the picture is dark and the clothing and upper torso of the body is so dark that only a muted outline can be seen of his clothing. There is a burst of light on his hands. The eye is drawn upward to the dark red behind the artist’s head. Even though it is dark, the red brings color to the portrait. The only true light is centered on Rembrandt’s face. That is where the emphasis of the whole painting lies.
