middle relief

sculpture

Also known as: mezzo-relievo

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Last updated

June 11, 2026

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In sculpture, relief refers to works where figures project from a supporting background. The degree of projection determines the classification:

Low relief (bas-relief): Figures project slightly with minimal undercutting.
High relief (alto-relievo): Figures project at least half their natural circumference, sometimes detaching completely from the background.
Middle relief (mezzo-relievo): This falls between low and high relief, with figures projecting moderately from the background.12

Relief sculpture combines two-dimensional pictorial and three-dimensional sculptural elements. It has been a significant art form across various cultures and historical periods, including ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance.13

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relief
Middle relief, or mezzo-relievo, falls roughly between the high and low forms. A variation of relief carving, found almost exclusively in ancient Egyptian sculpture, is sunken relief (also called incised relief), in which the carving is sunk below the level of the surrounding surface and…
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Middle relief, or mezzo-relievo, falls roughly between the high and low forms. A variation of relief carving, found almost exclusively in ancient Egyptian sculpture, is sunken relief (also called incised relief), in which the carving is sunk below the level of the surrounding surface and…
Read More