High relief, also called haut-relief, is a relief in which the depicted figures project strongly from the background surface. More than half of the form stands proud of the plane, so parts appear almost detached from the background. The French haut means ‘high’.
Relief in degrees
Relief is classified by how far the figure projects from the plane:
- Bas-relief (low relief) — the figure projects only slightly from the surface
- Demi-relief (half relief) — about half of the form projects
- Haut-relief (high relief) — more than half stands proud; parts may be almost free-standing
In high relief, the great depth creates a strong play of light and shadow, making the image lively and three-dimensional.
Application
- Facade stones and pediments — figurative scenes above gateways and in gable tops
- Churches and monuments — sculpture in natural stone
- Ornaments — capitals, keystones and decorative panels
Points to watch
- Soiling and weathering — the deep hollows trap dirt and water; outdoors this can lead to decay and algae
- Restoration — during repair, attention is paid to broken projecting parts, which are more vulnerable than in low relief
Related terms
- Relief
- Bas-relief
- Facade stone
- Ornament
- Pediment
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