In the Art of Sculpture, a relief is an artwork where a modeled form projects out of a flat background. Tensed musculature itself may be seen to be in relief. Depending on the depth involved, it may be termed a bas relief ("low relief") - as seen in Numismatics - or it may be a high relief, with much undercutting, rendered almost in the round against its flat background. [image] Reliefs are a common type of artwork found throughout the world, particularly to decorate monumental buildings, such as temples. The Frieze in the classical Corinthian order is often enriched with bas-reliefs. High reliefs may been seen in the pediments of classical temples, e.g. the Parthenon. Reliefs can be used for a single scene, or ordered into a narrative.
Famous examples of reliefs include: