What is it?
relief sculpture is that which is not free-standing, and, in having a background, approximates to the condition of painting. There are several names to indicate the varying depth of projection, ranging from alto-rilievo, or high relief - which is almost detached from the ground - through mezzo-rilievo ('half-relief') to bas-relief (basso-rilievo) and further still to rilievo stiacciato (or schiacciato) which is scarcely more than scratched. Cavo-rilievo is the same as intaglio, that is, relief in inverse, sunk into the surface instead of embossed upon it.
Source: The Penguin Dictionary of Art and Artists (Penguin Reference Books)
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