tenebrismPronunciation: /ˈtɛnəbrɪz(ə)m/Definition of tenebrism noun [mass noun] a style of painting developed by Caravaggio and other 17th-century Spanish and Italian artists, characterized by predominantly dark tones and shadows with dramatically contrasting effects of light. Derivatives tenebrist noun Origin:from Italian tenebroso 'dark' + -ism
