Rembrandt Lighting is best described as?

• A. A lit triangle on one cheek, typically used for portraits.
• B. A flat, even light across the entire face.
• C. Backlighting that silhouettes the subject.
• D. A side of the face fully highlighted.

Answer: (A)

Rembrandt lighting uses a single directional key light placed high and to the side of the subject. The nose casts a shadow across the cheek on the opposite side, leaving a small, triangular patch of light under the eye. That triangle is the defining feature and gives the portrait its distinctive sculpted, dramatic look.

So the best description is a lit triangle on one cheek, typically used for portraits. The other patterns don’t fit: flat, even lighting removes the shadow contrast; backlighting creates a silhouette; and lighting only one side fully ignores the small triangle of light that characterizes Rembrandt lighting.