Bas-relief in architecture: what it is, what it looks like, history of origin

Bas-relief - This is one of the types of sculpture, the peculiarity of which is that the image protrudes above the flat surface only partially. This is a very ancient art direction, known since time immemorial. The features, types and interesting examples of bas-relief are described in the presented article.

Definition and scope of application of bas-relief

We can say about bas-relief that this is one of the types of sculpture, which is a relief image that protrudes above a flat vertical surface by no more than half. For example, it could be a human figure that protrudes 20-30 cm. The bas-relief combines the properties of relief itself and sculpture.

However, in the latter case the figure is completely “free”, i.e. is in no way connected with the plane, so it can be viewed from all sides. If we talk about what a bas-relief is, then it is always an image on a plane, therefore it can only be viewed from one (front, frontal) side.

Bas-relief in architecture is a whole direction in art, which is implemented in various fields. Patterns, figures and compositions are used to decorate a wide variety of structures and elements:

• obelisk;
• monument;
• stele;
• memorial Complex;
• building facades;
• coins and medals;
• Jewelry;
• rocks, natural objects.

Varieties of bas-relief

We can say about a bas-relief that it is a convex image that protrudes only slightly above the flat vertical surface of a wall, facade, coin or medal. For example, it is planned to make an image of flowers with a base diameter of 50 cm. This could be a composition on a field or another picture. Then their relief image should protrude above the surface by no more than 25 cm, and often less than half of the maximum size.

At the same time, the types of bas-relief are quite diverse. They are classified according to different parameters, for example:

1. According to the characteristics of the genre - images on religious, historical or everyday themes. There is also such a direction as animalism (animal figures), natural themes and much more.
2. Manufacturing method - can be sculpted from clay or cast from metal or alloy.
3. Material – gypsum, marble, granite, bronze and even wood are often used.
4. Type of image - can be a regular picture (shapes) or an ornament (pattern with repeating motifs).

If you study what bas-relief is in architecture, you can find several similar directions that differ in the features of the protrusion and other characteristics:

1. High relief – the projection of the image is much more than half, i.e. This is a more relief composition, occupying a significant volume. Thanks to this, you can highlight the foreground and background and create an interesting picture.
2. Counter-relief – in this case, the picture does not protrude, but, on the contrary, goes to a small or significant depth. It looks like a kind of cast.
3. Koylanaglyph - a picture drawn with a contour that does not protrude above the surface and does not go into depth.
4. Through relief - a relief without a background, which can be viewed from the front and back (the definition of bas-relief assumes the possibility of contemplation only from the front).

Brief history of bas-relief

Bas-relief in architecture originated quite a long time ago - almost at the dawn of civilization. Thus, the oldest compositions known today date back to the 9th millennium BC. This is the Gobekli Tepe temple complex, which was located in ancient times on the territory of today's Turkey.

In Ancient Egypt, bas-relief was represented by contour relief. Similar compositions can be found in large quantities on the territory of modern Iraq and Iran, where Ancient Persia, Babylon and Assyria were located more than 5 thousand years ago.

In Antiquity, bas-relief compositions often decorated temple complexes, pediments of monumental buildings, as well as triumphal arches. However, after the fall of the Roman Empire in the 4th century. AD bas-relief technology was lost until the 14th century. In the Middle Ages, buildings were rarely decorated with such sculptures. Basically, bas-relief technology was used for finishing jewelry, boxes, and icons.

The real revival of this art form began only in the 15th century. Moreover, the first work was carried out in Spain, and then spread to neighboring European countries. Today bas-relief is widely used to decorate buildings. Moreover, both using classical and modern technologies using computer graphics and 3D printers.

Interesting bas-relief images in the world

Studying what bas-relief is in art, we can give several examples of the most interesting compositions from different parts of the world:

1. The Ishtar Gate dates back to the 6th century. BC, were located on the territory of Babylon.
2. Decoration of the Parthenon (5th century Ionic frieze)BC) is a huge composition made of marble.
3. Angkor Wat complex (12th century AD) - discovered only in the 19th century. on the territory of Cambodia.
4. Albert Memorial (1875, London).
5. The Mount Rushmore Memorial is an example of a modern bas-relief made in 1925. These are portrait images of 4 prominent US presidents.

Bas-relief - one of the classic directions of architectural art, which remains in demand today. Such compositions are used to decorate buildings, memorials, sculptures and even coins. Moreover, the bas-relief can often be use even on small private houses and other buildings.