What is the difference between relief sculpture and free standing
sculpture? How is space used differently in each?

Dear sirguy-ga;

Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question.

A relief sculpture projects from a flat surface and is carved ?into?
or ?onto? a given surface. A viewer can only see and appreciate the
work from the front or at a limited angle to the front in much the
same way one would view a painting. The artist often predetermines the
viewer?s vantage point so the optimum viewing angles are greatly
limited. The space available for a relief sculpture is always limited
only to the surface area of the medium and a portion of the medium
serves as background to the work itself. Of these, there are two
types: The realistic ?High Relief? and significantly less realistic
?Low Relief? depending on how deeply the images are sculpted. High
relief sculptures, where space is available, often allows for more
shadow and depth. The viewer may even perceive subtle changes or even
th eillusion of animation in the work depending on the light angles,
as in this excellent example:

ALTAR OF ZEUS
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/citylife/imagesr/perg2.jpg

Low relief of course is more minimally invasive to the medium, thus
the shadows and depth perception are not nearly as great. A low relief
is, for lack of a better phrase, a "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" type
of illusion, as in this example:

PARTHENON FRIEZE
http://www.keropiansculpture.com/parthresa.jpg


A freestanding sculpture on the other hand is a partially or fully
carved, three-dimensional work in which the subject is carved ?out of?
an object, often in its entirety. It exists in space, displacing air,
reflecting light and casting shadow. In other words, a 360-degree view
is usually available to the viewer - the front, back, sides and top
are all visible for examination from multiple angles. There are some
rare examples of freestanding sculptures that were not designed or
intended to be viewed from all sides (Myron?s Discus Thrower, for
example, meant to be viewed only from the front. It stands alone, and
a person can walk around it, but the intent was for viewers to examine
the piece from a particular vantage point.)

Myron?s Discus Thrower
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/introtogreece/lect21img/dDiscusThrower.jpg


There are of course some ?freestanding reliefs? that offer a
360-degree view. If you envision a pillar for example, carved over the
entirety of its surface you?ll get a mental picture of this type of
relief sculpture, however this type of art is perhaps more decorative
in nature and intent than true freestanding art.

It?s difficult to say which came first, freestanding sculptures or
relief sculptures. The earliest sculptured objects, cut from ivory,
horn, bone, or stone, are 27,000 to 32,000 years old. Some were fully
carved and others were carved ?into? or ?onto? the objects. A small
freestanding sculpture of an ivory horse with graceful, curving lines
is among the oldest of these objects; it was found in a cave in
Germany.

Egyptians made quite a name for themselves by creating relief style
sculptures and many examples are still in existence today. The Palette
of King Narmer (Hierakonpolis ca. 3100 B.C.) is believed to be the
oldest known example of Egyptian relief sculpture.

Egyptian Art: Pre-dynastic
http://vandyck.anu.edu.au/introduction/add/ancient.art/PreDynastic/Narmer1aa.JPG
(actual sculpture)

Dawn of Egyptian Culture
http://www.nemo.nu/ibisportal/0egyptintro/2egypt/2sidor/2bilder/2narmerpaletten.gif
(artist?s interpretation of the sculpture)

I hope you find that my research exceeds your expectations. If you
have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating
and your final comments and I look forward to working with you again
in the near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher



INFORMATION SOURCES

ENCARTA
http://au.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761568350/Sculpture.html

Egyptian Art: Pre-dynastic
http://vandyck.anu.edu.au/introduction/add/ancient.art/PreDynastic/Narmer1aa.JPG

Dawn of Egyptian Culture
http://www.nemo.nu/ibisportal/0egyptintro/2egypt/2sidor/2bilder/2narmerpaletten.gif

ALTAR OF ZEUS
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/citylife/imagesr/perg2.jpg

PARTHENON FRIEZE
http://www.keropiansculpture.com/parthresa.jpg

Myron?s Discus Thrower
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/introtogreece/lect21img/dDiscusThrower.jpg




SEARCH STRATEGY


SEARCH ENGINE USED:

Google ://www.google.com


SEARCH TERMS USED:

Sculpture

Space

Freestanding

Relief

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Request for Answer Clarification by sirguy-ga on 16 Jul 2004 15:17 PDT

Thank you very much. I have to write a 500-1000 word essay on free and
relief sculptures. Thanks for the head start. Is there anything else I
should add to my essay re. this topic? What is the difference between
relief sculpture and free standing sculpture? How is space used
differently in each?

Thanks, Guy.

---

Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 16 Jul 2004 17:55 PDT

Thank you for your generous tip. If you follow my search strategy
(included at the end of my answer) you will find many more references
to these types of sculptures. You should have no problem finding
enough information to your report.

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

Thank you very much. I have to write a 500-1000 word essay on free and
relief sculptures. Thanks for the head start. You're tha bomb... Is
there anything else I should add to my essay re. this topic? Thanks,
Guy.