Relief Sculptures

Relief is the art of embossing or indenting on a surface and acts as a bridge between the arts of sculpture and painting. Unlike full-size sculptures, reliefs are attached to a ground and are usually designed to be viewed from a single direction. The artist creates light and shadow plays by using depth differences on the surface, thereby giving a three-dimensional volume to figures or patterns.

Relief sculptures are used in a wide variety of areas thanks to their ability to fill large surfaces with an artistic language. In architectural projects, building exterior facades, pediments above entrance doors, and large wall surfaces in interiors are the places where reliefs are most frequently seen. In addition, large panels depicting historical events in memorial parks, decorative bands in public buildings, and symbolic reliefs on tombstones are also application areas of this art.

In relief art, two basic distinctions are made according to the depth level: High relief (alto-rilievo) and low relief (basso-rilievo). In high relief, the figures project significantly from the ground, sometimes appearing almost like a full sculpture and remaining attached to the background only at a small point; this technique creates strong depth and dramatic shadows. In low relief, the level of embossing is quite low, the figures rise very little from the surface and are more like a drawing that has gained volume.

The mounting process of reliefs is meticulously planned according to the size, weight of the work, and the structure of the surface to be mounted. Small and light decorative panels can be easily hung with the help of hidden hanging apparatus or special adhesives on their back. However, more professional methods are required for large-scale and heavy architectural reliefs; in this case, steel frames placed inside the work are fixed to the holes drilled in the wall with chemical anchors and screws.

The relief material to be used in exterior applications must be extremely resistant to variable weather conditions and corrosion. Among the most preferred materials for this purpose are fiberglass reinforced composites (GRP), precast concrete, natural stone (marble, travertine), and cast metals (bronze, aluminum). While composite materials do not bring additional load to the building thanks to their lightness, they show extraordinary resistance to external factors. Natural stone and metal castings offer a classical weight and prestige.

In interiors, reliefs are the most stylish decorative elements used to add artistic depth and texture to walls. They are generally preferred in the form of large panels on the main walls that are the focal point in living rooms, in the gaps above the fireplace, or in the dining room sections. In prestigious areas such as offices and hotel lobbies, the walls behind the reception are ideal spots for processing corporate logos or thematic scenes as reliefs.