What is the Meaning & Definition of Bas-relief
Within the art of sculpture there are very different techniques, one of them being the bas-relief. It consists of creating images and figures from a stone, a piece of wood, plaster or other material. For this they are carving figures which contrast with the original surface, forming in this way a more dynamic image.
The art of the ancient Egypt shows striking examples of this technique. Craftsmen worked wood and stone to write hieroglyphics, represent their deities, or describe to the Pharaohs. It is also characteristic in the funerary architecture. Among the many examples we could highlight the triad of Menkaure, a work in bas-relief, which is a synthesis of Egyptian sculpture.
The Greeks used the bas-relief technique especially in marble. Working this material they were representations of the Olympic athletes, historical battles or scenes of everyday life. The archaeological works carried out from them allow to know the history and values of this civilization.
The Roman civilisation continued the artistic traditions of the Greeks. In Roman art can find relevant examples of low-reliefs: the column of Trajan or the bas-relief of Marcus Aurelius on horseback.
In temples and palaces Oriental we find significant examples (erotic themes, divinities of Hinduism or Buddha figures carved stones).
Christianity has used this technique to immortalise own symbology and at the same time to remind the faithful the key moments counted in the Scriptures.
A brief tour of the history of art
The Aztecs were skilled sculpting stone, proof of this is the bas-reliefs that performed to make calendars or historical representations of their great deeds as a people.The art of the ancient Egypt shows striking examples of this technique. Craftsmen worked wood and stone to write hieroglyphics, represent their deities, or describe to the Pharaohs. It is also characteristic in the funerary architecture. Among the many examples we could highlight the triad of Menkaure, a work in bas-relief, which is a synthesis of Egyptian sculpture.
The Greeks used the bas-relief technique especially in marble. Working this material they were representations of the Olympic athletes, historical battles or scenes of everyday life. The archaeological works carried out from them allow to know the history and values of this civilization.
The Roman civilisation continued the artistic traditions of the Greeks. In Roman art can find relevant examples of low-reliefs: the column of Trajan or the bas-relief of Marcus Aurelius on horseback.
In temples and palaces Oriental we find significant examples (erotic themes, divinities of Hinduism or Buddha figures carved stones).
Christianity has used this technique to immortalise own symbology and at the same time to remind the faithful the key moments counted in the Scriptures.