Altorilievo is an Italian term used in art to describe a high relief or a sculpture in which the figures project strongly from the background. The spelling of this word follows the Italian language's phonetic rules. It is pronounced as /altɔriˈljɛːvo/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The stress is placed on the third syllable, while the "e" is pronounced like the "e" in "hey." The sub-word "al-" is pronounced as in "alcohol," and the "r" is pronounced in a trilled way, as in other Italian words.
Altorilievo, also known as in alto-rilievo, is an Italian term used in art and sculpture to describe a type of sculptural relief that is characterized by its high level of projection or depth from the background. The word "altorilievo" can be translated as "high relief" in English, and it refers to sculptures that are carved or modeled with a significant amount of their mass detached from the background surface.
In altorilievo, the figures or objects depicted in the artwork are carved in such a way that they stand out prominently, often appearing to be almost free from the surface they are attached to. This technique is achieved by skillfully carving or modeling the figures in varying depths, creating a sense of volume, shadow, and three-dimensionality. Altorilievo can be seen most commonly in sculptures on architectural facades, as well as in friezes and other decorative elements.
Compared to bas-relief, which has a lower level of projection, altorilievo requires a greater degree of skill and technical mastery due to its more pronounced depth and detail. The term altorilievo is often used to distinguish sculptures with a high degree of projection from other forms of relief sculptures.
Overall, altorilievo is an artistic technique that creates a powerful and dynamic visual effect by sculpting figures that appear to be almost detached from their background, contributing to a sense of realism and emotional impact in the artwork.
The word "altorilievo" is of Italian origin. It combines two Italian words: "alto" meaning "high" or "tall" and "rilievo" meaning "relief". In art and sculpture, "rilievo" refers to a technique where figures are carved or molded to project from a flat surface, creating a three-dimensional effect. "Altorilievo" specifically refers to a high or deep relief, where the figures are more pronounced and extend further from the background.