Understanding Bas-Relief: Techniques, Examples, and History

Bas-relief (French for "low relief") is a sculpture technique where the subject is carved into a flat surface, but remains attached to it, rather than being raised above it. The sculpted area is typically only a few millimeters deep, and the background is often left plain or textured to create a sense of depth.

Bas-relief is commonly used in architectural settings, such as on facades, walls, and monuments, as well as in decorative art objects like plaques and medallions. It is also used in coins, stamps, and other forms of numismatics.

One of the most famous examples of bas-relief is the frieze of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, which depicts a procession of gods and goddesses and other figures from Greek mythology. The bas-relief panels were carved into the walls of the Parthenon in the 5th century BCE and are considered some of the greatest masterpieces of ancient Greek art.