The Italian word “chiaroscuro” means roughly “light and dark.” As in film noir, visual attributes play a starring role. Blacks are like coal, and shadows are long and dramatic. There is a feel of mystery in the tableau. Paintings and photographs are represented in terms of highlights and shadows without regard to color. Strong directional light lifts out details and adds dimension. As the winter finally fades, so too does chiaroscuro on Harvard’s campus.