A group of pictures that uses darkness and light in some fashion to bring about a greater impact of the pieces. Each in themselves using darkness as something to hide in and light as something to bring wonder or exploration there on to.
The Gates of Hell, Auguste Rodin, French, 1840 - 1917, Modeled 1880-1917; cast 1926-1928, From the collection of: Philadelphia Museum of Art
This uses an excellent dark color in order to best keep up the hidden motif of what lies within hell. Darkness used to obfuscate!
Girl with a Candle, John Greenwood after Nicolaas Verkolje, after 1758, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Another interesting use of darkness as the woman holds the candle. She uses the light to show herself and the darkness of the unknown beyond her home.
Astronomer by Candlelight, Gerrit Dou, late 1650s, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Yet another image of someone educated that holds a candle over something they are researching it. As it stands the darkness around him is slowly being illuminated by knowledge.
Annunciation, Matthias Stomer, XVII Century (beginning), From the collection of: Uffizi Gallery
With this image, the holy figure is illuminated by as she comes to deliver the message, dispelling the darkness around them.
1993-12-02, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
1945-07-09, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
I enjoyed this image. Each candle representing a cleansing image, the darkness in this image is perhaps the horror of war, the light a prayer for a better world or a soul lost.
Egg Incubator: Candle and Earth, Beak Jungki, 백정기, 2011/2011, From the collection of: Korean Art Museum Association
This candle sequence is something else. Darkness is not an evil force here, but perhaps simply just those who do not understand. The light here proving the life of the shrine, darkness being the void.
The Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh, 1889, From the collection of: MoMA The Museum of Modern Art
This has always been one of my favorites. The light of the stars completely removes the darkness from space. Instead the darkness within a twist tree that somehow proves gives a sense of evil to me.
St. Dominic and the Devil, Pietro della Vecchia, about 1630, From the collection of: Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
This is actually kind of neat because its the opposite. The light in this case is the forbidden knowledge of the devil trying to be passing to St Dominic. Reversals can be very interesting!
Madonna of Mercy, Antonio Boselli, 1495 - 1495, From the collection of: Bagatti Valsecchi Museum
Here I just a classic ideal of light giving the presence of Holiness to the target cast in light.
The Divine Eros Defeats the Earthly Eros, Giovanni Baglione, around 1602, From the collection of: Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
This is just a classic image using the Chiaroscuro technique. Though it lacks the candle and exploration of the others sadly!
The Night Watch, Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, 1642, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum
This is an interesting use to show the heroes in the light and their enemies in the dark. The light gives the impression of a rightious success, while the enemies are powerless in the dark.
The Death of Sardanapalus, Ferdinand-Victor-Eugène Delacroix, French, 1798 - 1863, 1844, From the collection of: Philadelphia Museum of Art
Here is another Chiaroscuro image. Though the enemies are aggressors tend to be dark and the victims shown in the light.
Cleombrotus Ordered into Banishment by Leonidas II, King of Sparta, Benjamin West, 1768, From the collection of: Tate Britain
This image uses darkness to bring a feel of dispair and an overcast feel. The light is given to everyone to show their expressions but all are darkened by the troubles presented. Tainted almost.
The Betrothal of Raphael and the Niece of Cardinal Bibbiena, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1813-14, From the collection of: The Walters Art Museum
Here is another Chiaroscuro example. The Cardinal given the most light showing his holiness. The darkness in the back in this case doesn't seem to be showing any aspect beyond foreshadowing the light.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
LIFE Photo Collection
The Walters Art Museum
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
Korean Art Museum Association
Bagatti Valsecchi Museum
Rijksmuseum
Tate Britain
MoMA The Museum of Modern Art
Uffizi Gallery
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
The J. Paul Getty Museum