Definition: Bas-relief sculpture is stone sculpture made by chipping away at a slab of rock to make a picture that stands out. It is also called low relief sculpture (bas being the French for 'low') and is contrasted with high relief sculpture where the image stands out further from the surface. The Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and many others have used bas-relief.
Also Known As: Low relief sculpture
Alternate Spellings: Bas relief sculpture
Examples: The Elgin Marbles, from the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens, now housed at the British Museum, in London, include classical examples of bas relief.
