Sculpted reliefs are an ancient form of art. Reliefs can be as simple as shapes gouged into stone or as complex as fully three dimensional sculptures. What distinguishes reliefs from other sculpture is that they are not meant to be viewed from all angles. They are usually sculpted on a flat, or sometimes, a curved background. Relief figures are not fully sculpted, rising partially or almost fully from their background.
Sunken (Intaglio) Relief Sculpture
Intaglio carving is not always included in discussions of reliefs. It is, in fact, the reverse of high and low reliefs. Instead of the figures rising from the background, intaglio figures are carved into the background. Sunken relief figures make up a large portion of Egyptian sculpture, including hieroglyphs. Click the Egyptian Sunken Relief picture below to see a larger image. The Egyptians often used a combination of carving and paint. Other forms of relief depend on light and shadow and the modeling of shapes rather than color.
Low (Bas) Relief Sculpture
The angel relief below is a lovely example of low relief. The angel's right side is just barely modeled. Her head is the most completely modeled part of the sculpture, no more than half of her head is represented. The left arm and hand, and part of the right hand rise from the background without being completely free of it, another example of low relief sculpting is within reach of all. Take a coin out and study the design. Admire the way the design is recognizable although it is barely raised above the plane of the coin.
High (Alto) Relief Sculpture
High reliefs can be pretty much fully formed against the background. The picture of the lion's head sculpture is a great example of high relief. High relief figures such as this lion seem to be on the verge of escaping the background. High relief can be combined with low relief with parts of figures completely free of the background. Statues stand alone and are sculpted around all 360 degrees. Some high reliefs are virtually indistinguishable from statues except that they can't be viewed all the way around. Their attachment to the background is minimal.
Sculpted Columns
Relief sculpture is often found on columns. The background is the rounded surface of the column itself. The sculpted design on the column below twists around the column. Even though it has very little modeling, the design is distinctive and cut the same distance away form the column at all points. The acanthus leaves are slightly more modeled with the tips turned down.
Relief Sculpting Materials and Methods
Stone is a durable medium. Ancient Greek and Roman reliefs are largely marble. Other mediums for relief include wood, bronze, terracotta, ivory, and precious metals. As with any kind of sculpture, both additive and subtractive methods can be used to create reliefs. Sculpting reliefs is a time consuming art. It requires great skill and artistry to transition figures from a flat background to finely modeled three dimensions.
The New World Encyclopedia has a good selection of photographs of reliefs.
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