Relief Sculpture Notes

Relief Sculpture

Introduction

  • Relief sculpture is a type of sculpture that is set into a surface.
  • Example: Figures riding horses set into a stone surface.

Objectives

  • Identify the two main categories of sculpture.
  • Discuss the three different subcategories of relief sculptures.
  • Examine art created using each category of relief sculpture.

Key Terms

  • Relief sculpture
  • Freestanding sculpture
  • High relief
  • Low relief (bas relief)
  • Sunken relief

Two Basic Categories of Sculpture

  • Relief Sculpture: Objects are set into a ground surface or embedded in that surface.
  • Freestanding Sculpture: Surrounded by space, allowing it to be viewed from all angles.
Key Difference
  • Relief sculpture has a controlled point of view, similar to painting.
  • Freestanding sculpture requires different design decisions because it can be viewed from all angles.

Three Subcategories of Relief Sculpture

  • High relief
  • Low relief
  • Sunken relief
High Relief
  • Form extends at least halfway out of the background surface.
  • Deep shadows are created due to the forms curving back into the surface.
  • Look at the ground surface from above. It's a flat surface with objects extending out of the front of the surface.
Low Relief (Bas Relief)
  • Less projection from the background compared to high relief.
  • Forms do not extend more than a 90-degree angle from the surface, resulting in fewer deep shadows.
  • Examples:
    • Mayan ballgame depiction, serving political and mythological purposes.
    • Sasanid dish from present-day Iran.
Sunken Relief
  • Image is carved into a flat surface.
  • Shapes are carved inside the surface, creating a recessed effect.
  • Prevalent in Egyptian tombs.
    Look at the surface from above. The ground surface is a straight line, and the shapes are carved inside of the surface.

Review of Objectives

  • Identified the two main categories of sculpture: relief and freestanding.
  • Discussed the three subcategories of relief sculpture: high relief, low relief, and sunken relief.
  • Examined art created using each category of relief sculpture.

Conclusion

  • Relief sculpture is a sophisticated art form with its own unique considerations.
  • Artists choose relief sculpture to communicate specific ideas.
  • Modern artwork utilizes relief sculpture techniques.
  • Encouragement to create your own relief sculptures.