The technique used by Caravaggio is refered to as Chiaroscuro. This is using contrast in light and shading during the composition of an image. The development of Chiaroscuro lighting was by Vermeer, Leonardo Davinci, Rembrandt and Caravaggio.
To To create dramatic lighting in his paintings, Caravaggio used a harsh, light to help isolate his figures while also heightening the emotional tension. Therefore, in painting and drawing, the treatment of light and shade is Chiaroscuro
