Bas-relief
A bas-relief is a form of sculpture that is carved from a flat two-dimensional plane creating a three-dimensional appearance. The backgrounds are kept shallow from the raised features, usually between a fraction of an inch to a few inches deep. It was predominately used as a decorative feature in the ancient architecture of countries such as Egypt, Greece and Italy.
The term is French and is derived from the Italian basso-relievo (‘low relief’).
A bas-relief is created in one of two ways:
- By carving away material such as wood, stone, ivory, and so on.
- By applying material, such as strips of clay, to the top of an otherwise smooth surface.
The natural contours and shape of that being represented should be retained, which means that the bas-relief can be viewed from different angles without undue visual distortion.
Alto-relievo (high relief) is where the technique is applied to much deeper backgrounds, usually of between a foot and several feet in depth.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Architectural styles.
- Architrave.
- Classical orders in architecture.
- Cornice.
- Crocket.
- Elements of classical columns.
- Entablature.
- Fresco.
- Frieze.
- Gargoyle.
- Grotesque.
- Hunky punk.
- Large-scale murals.
- Moulding.
- Pedestal.
- Pediment.
- Pendentive dome.
- Pilaster.
- Rustication.
- Soffit.
- Stained glass.
- Strapwork.
- Tessera.
- The history of fabric structures.
- Trompe l’oeil.
- Tympanum.
IHBC NewsBlog
Volunteers work to transform 100-year-old ‘hidden’ building into bothy
The building, named Druimnashallag, is located southeast of Oban.
The new ‘Arches for HERs’ Demo site, from the Getty Conservation Institute via HE
It shows how organisations responsible for historic environment records (HER) management can benefit from its powerful features.
ICOMOS-CIF 2024 Symposium celebrates 40th anniversary in Venice
It aims to critically review current practices and theories of conservation of built heritage around the world, and more.
HES establishes new national centre for retrofit of traditional buildings
HES plans to develop the centre follows £1m of funding from UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council.
High Court rejects oral appeal against tower block decision in historic Bloomsbury
The request was for a full Judicial Review hearing against Camden Council’s approval of a 74m-high tower block in Bloomsbury.
Mayor of London and Government announce bold plans to transform Oxford Street
Plans include turning the road into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, creating a beautiful public space.
Crystal Palace Subway, for 160th anniversary
The remarkable Grade II* listed Crystal Palace Subway in South London begins a new era following major restoration.
National Trust brings nature back to an area twice the size of Manchester in less than a decade
The National Trust has achieved its aim of creating or restoring 25,000 hectares of priority habitat on its land by 2025.
18th-century hospital in York to become sustainable homes
A former mental health establishment founded by a Quaker in 1792 is to be converted into 120 energy-efficient homes in York.
Context 180 Released - Where Heritage and Nature Meet
The issue includes life, death, Forests, bats, landscapes and much more.