Bas-relief (from French bas-relief, meaning "low relief") is a type of relief art in which the image protrudes above the background only partially, not completely, as in a full-length sculpture. In other words, a bas-relief is a "flat sculpture" where the forms slightly emerge from the plane of the wall or panel, creating a play of light and shadow.
Bas-reliefs are used to decorate the facades of buildings, monuments, interiors of temples, museums and even coins. Due to the shallow depth of the relief, such works are easier to mount on walls and convey three-dimensional images without the need for a large space.
In technical terms, the bas-relief can be low (bas-relief) — when the performances are minimal or high (high relief/haut-relief) - when the elements of the relief are almost separated from the background. Most often, artists combine different depths to create perspective and dynamics of the composition.
Bas-reliefs have been found in art since ancient times - from Egyptian temples and Assyrian palaces to Renaissance and modern works. They allow the artist to convey stories, battle scenes, mythological subjects or portraits, using a minimum of material, but a maximum of expressiveness.
