Shadows in Art: From the Ancient Greeks to Contemporary Art

Shadows are all around us. They are the natural counterpart to light. Through the centuries people have been fascinated by them, marvelling at their effects, as well as using them to make explorations and discoveries. They feature in the myths and legends of most societies and play a role in modern psychology. They have always presented a particular challenge to visual artists, both in terms of how to use them to enhance naturalistic effect and as a resource for bringing meditative and expressive dimensions into their art. On the other hand, many artists have ignored them. They do not feature at all in most traditional art forms outside Europe. In modern times their usage has been challenged by many avant-garde artists.

William Vaughan is Emeritus Professor of the History of Art at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is also a printmaker, much engaged in exploring shadows in his own…