Reliëf

Reliëf, or relief in English, is a sculptural technique in which forms are raised or carved into a background so that they remain attached to a solid surface. The figures or motifs are designed to be viewed from one side, and their depth is limited by the plane of the background, unlike sculpture in the round which is meant to be seen from all sides.

Bas-relief (low relief) features figures that project only slightly from the background; the overall silhouette remains shallow and light and shade is used to suggest form. High relief (haut-relief) involves more pronounced projection, with parts of the figure standing more clearly from the background and often with undercut edges that create stronger shadows. Sunken relief, or negative relief, has figures carved into the surface so the background is recessed rather than raised, a method frequently used in ancient Egyptian art.

Techniques vary by material and tradition. Relief can be carved in stone, plaster, wood, or ivory, and can be cast in metal such as bronze. It is widely used in architectural decoration—friezes, pediments, and narrative bands—and also appears on coins, monuments, and book covers. The relief format allows narrative scenes to be read sequentially and viewed from a single vantage point.

Historically, reliëf has been central from ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian sculpture to Greek and Roman art, Medieval and Renaissance monuments, and modern decorative arts. It remains a fundamental means of illustrating stories, commemorating events, and embellishing architecture.