Illustration of bas-relief
bas-relief
noun
bas-re·lief
ˌbä-ri-ˈlēf 
ˌbas-,
ˌbās-;
ˈbä-ri-ˌlēf,
ˈbas-,
ˈbās-
art
: sculptural relief (see relief entry 1 sense 6) in which the projection from the surrounding surface is slight and no part of the modeled form is undercut (see undercut entry 1 sense 2)
also
: sculpture executed in bas-relief
a limestone bas-relief of a female figure
Did you know?
The best way to understand the meaning of bas-relief is to see one—and the easiest way to do that is to look at a penny, nickel, or other coin and examine the raised images on it; they're all bas-reliefs. English speakers adopted bas-relief from French (where bas means "low" and relief means "raised work") during the mid-1600s; earlier, we borrowed the synonymous basso-relievo from Italian. The French and Italian terms have common ancestors (and, in fact, the French word is likely a translation of the Italian), but English speakers apparently borrowed the two independently. Bas-relief is more prevalent in English today, although the Italian-derived term has not disappeared completely from the language.
Examples of bas-relief in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those ornamental bas-reliefs are pricey to maintain.
—
Ian Volner, Artforum, 28 May 2025
The bas-relief carvings on the fireplaces are extraordinary.
—Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
At the front desk, behold the massive bas-relief installation by Art Space NYC that depicts nearby monuments, cherry blossoms, and horses to symbolize the new U.S. Park Police Horse Stables, which Johnson helped fund.
—Laura Dannen Redman, AFAR Media, 14 Apr. 2025
Since 2019, leaders in the small Italian town of Avezzano in the Abruzzo region have been calling on the Louvre museum in Paris to return a medieval stone bas-relief that was once part of their local church, San Nicola, which was destroyed in a 1915 earthquake, reports Le Journal des Arts.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Inspired by a fierce muse, the striking bas-relief mural was crafted entirely in plaster by Segreto Finishes from a sketch by the designer, evoking iconic French luxury brands like Cartier and Lanvin.
—Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
However, clothing is depicted throughout the galleries dating back to ancient bas-reliefs through to 18th-century paintings, and textiles form an important part of the Department of Decorative Arts’ collection, with a focus on tapestries and decorative textiles.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Our next stop was the 30-foot plaster bas-relief The Spirit of Transportation, which depicts modes of transit beginning on the far left with oxen pulling a Conestoga wagon and culminating on the right with a child holding an airship—the future in 1895 when it was carved.
—Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 12 Dec. 2024
The bas-relief, sterling silver image of Newgarden is the 111th face to be affixed to the iconic trophy, awarded annually to the winner of theIndianapolis 500 since 1936.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
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Ian Volner, Artforum, 28 May 2025
The bas-relief carvings on the fireplaces are extraordinary.
—Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
At the front desk, behold the massive bas-relief installation by Art Space NYC that depicts nearby monuments, cherry blossoms, and horses to symbolize the new U.S. Park Police Horse Stables, which Johnson helped fund.
—Laura Dannen Redman, AFAR Media, 14 Apr. 2025
Since 2019, leaders in the small Italian town of Avezzano in the Abruzzo region have been calling on the Louvre museum in Paris to return a medieval stone bas-relief that was once part of their local church, San Nicola, which was destroyed in a 1915 earthquake, reports Le Journal des Arts.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Inspired by a fierce muse, the striking bas-relief mural was crafted entirely in plaster by Segreto Finishes from a sketch by the designer, evoking iconic French luxury brands like Cartier and Lanvin.
—Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
However, clothing is depicted throughout the galleries dating back to ancient bas-reliefs through to 18th-century paintings, and textiles form an important part of the Department of Decorative Arts’ collection, with a focus on tapestries and decorative textiles.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Our next stop was the 30-foot plaster bas-relief The Spirit of Transportation, which depicts modes of transit beginning on the far left with oxen pulling a Conestoga wagon and culminating on the right with a child holding an airship—the future in 1895 when it was carved.
—Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 12 Dec. 2024
The bas-relief, sterling silver image of Newgarden is the 111th face to be affixed to the iconic trophy, awarded annually to the winner of theIndianapolis 500 since 1936.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Bas-relief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bas-relief. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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