Rembrandt Lighting is typically described as?

• A. A lit triangle on one cheek, typically used for portraits.
• B. The side of the face fully highlighted.
• C. The light comes from behind the subject.
• D. The face is lit evenly from below.

Answer: (A)

Rembrandt lighting is identified by a small triangle of light on the cheek of the shadowed side of the face. This occurs when the key light comes from the subject’s side and slightly above, so the nose blocks part of the light and a patch remains under the eye, forming a distinct triangular highlight. This pattern adds depth and drama to a portrait, giving the face dimension with a single, directional light. The other patterns described—lighting the entire side of the face, light coming from behind, or lighting from below—produce different looks (a broad, flat highlight; backlighting; or underlighting) and don’t create the characteristic cheek triangle of Rembrandt lighting.