Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Relief sculptures are sculptures that are attached to a background and project outwards from it. They have varying degrees of depth, with some parts being more raised than others.
Related terms
Bas-relief: Bas-relief is a type of relief sculpture where the figures or designs are only slightly raised from the background.
High relief: High relief is a type of relief sculpture where the figures or designs are deeply carved and stand out prominently from the background.
Sunken relief: Sunken relief is a type of relief sculpture where the figures or designs are carved into the surface, rather than projecting outwards. It creates an impression as if they're sunken into the material.