A relief is a sculptured artwork where a modeled form is raised (or alternatively lowered) from a flattened background without being disconnected from it. Reliefs are common throughout the world, for example on monumental buildings. The frieze in the classical Corinthian order is often enriched with bas-relief (low relief). Alto-relievo (high-relief) may been seen in the pediments of classical temples, e.g., the Parthenon. Occasionally, several reliefs together represent a sequence of events.

Centaur from the pediment of Parthenon

Types of relief

Roman Hetaera, Relief, around 2nd century, Head is missing

• Bas-relief (pronounced "bah relief") is where the overall depth of a projecting image is shallow. The background is compressed to such an extent it may be flat, as on coins.
• Alto-relief is where the image is highly undercut and rendered almost in the round against the background. Images are usually near natural depth. The background is detailed and deeper.
• Sunken-relief, also known as intaglio or hollow-relief, is where the "background" is flat, but is nearest the viewer, while the image is deeper, carved into the flat surface.

Famous reliefs

Hindu temple naga at Hampi

Famous examples of reliefs include:

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, South Dakota
• Great Altar of Pergamon, now at the Pergamon Museum, Berlin
• Lions and dragons from the Ishtar Gate, Babylon
• Temple of Karnak in Egypt
• Angkor Wat in Cambodia
• The images of the elephant, horse, bull and lion at the bottom of the Lion Capital of Asoka, the national symbol of India (the Capital itself is a full sculpture)
• glyphs and artwork of the Maya civilization
• The monument to the Confederacy at Stone Mountain, Georgia
• Borobudur temple, Java, Indonesia
• The Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon now housed at the British Museum.
• The representation of Monticello on a US nickel.
• The Madara Rider near Shumen, Bulgaria.

Greek couple in high relief	Palmyra Figure in British Museum	Persian relief from Qajar era in the style of Persepolis, located at Tangeh Savashi.	Angels from Clonfert Cathedral, Co Galway, Ireland (adjusted to highlight relief)
Yaxchilan Lintel 24, a Mayan carving depicting a blood sacrifice	Chinese lady musicians from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-960 AD)

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Relief

• Alto-relievo
• Bas-relief
• Sunken-relief