bas-relief

[ bah-ri-leef, bas-; bah-ri-leef, bas- ]

noun

1. relief sculpture in which the figures project slightly from the background.

bas-relief

/ ˈbæs-; ˈbɑːrɪˌliːf; ˌbɑːrɪˈliːf; ˌbæs- /

noun

1. sculpture in low relief, in which the forms project slightly from the background but no part is completely detached from it Also called (Italian)basso rilievo

bas-relief

1. A kind of carving or sculpture in which the figures are raised a few inches from a flat background to give a three-dimensional effect. The term is French for “low relief.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bas-relief¹

1660–70; < French, on the model of Italian bassorilievo. basso-relievo, base ², relief ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of bas-relief¹

C17: from French, from Italian basso rilievo low relief; see base ², relief

Example Sentences

The sarcophagus of Junius Bassus exhibits a bas relief of Job comforted by his friends.

From Project Gutenberg

In the accompanying engraving, from a mutilated bas-relief in the Lateran Museum, this scene is exhibited.

From Project Gutenberg

The pedestal of this clock represented in bas-relief the birth of astronomy on the Egyptian plains.

From Project Gutenberg

The principal bas-relief is a huge square panel, graven on the face of a rock bastion which immediately overhangs the stream.

From Project Gutenberg

Here a sort of panel, cut square, and covered with round embossments in various positions, simulated a vague bas-relief.

From Project Gutenberg