Sfumato: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Sfumato noun. Softening outlines with gradual, smoky blends of tone instead of hard edges.
How to say it
sfoo-MAH-toh/sfuːˈmɑːtəʊ/
3 syllables, stressed on the second (MAH).
Sfumato in a sentence
Leonardo's sfumato gives the Mona Lisa's smile its slippery, uncertain look.
The photographer used a misty filter for a dreamy sfumato effect.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- blending
- softening
- haze
Where sfumato comes from
Italian for shaded off like smoke, from fumo, smoke.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The photographer used a misty filter for a dreamy _____ effect.
- leitmotif
- slapstick
- sfumato
Show the answer
sfumato: The photographer used a misty filter for a dreamy sfumato effect.