What artistic technique uses contrasts of light and dark to give the illusion of volume in painting?

Chiaroscuro is an artistic technique that employs strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and three-dimensionality in painting. This technique enhances the illusion of depth and form, making subjects appear more realistic and dynamic. Artists manipulate light and shadow to model surfaces and give depth, thereby drawing the viewer's eye in and guiding perception.

During the Renaissance, chiaroscuro became particularly significant as artists sought to replicate the natural world more accurately. This technique helped convey emotions and emphasize certain elements within a composition. Notably, masters like Caravaggio and Leonardo da Vinci effectively used chiaroscuro to achieve dramatic effects in their artworks, enhancing storytelling through visual means.

The other options refer to different artistic concepts. Fresco involves painting on freshly laid wet plaster, which requires a different set of techniques that does not focus primarily on the interplay between light and shadow. Perspective is a method used to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface but does not specifically address light and dark contrasts. Surrealism is a movement that explores dream-like scenes and bizarre, illogical imagery, rather than focusing on technical light manipulation like chiaroscuro.