Classical Bas Relief

The term classical architectural bas relief has two distinct meanings. First, the architectural bas relief that was produced by the Ancient Greeks and Romans can be categorized as classical bas relief. Second, architectural bas relief sculptures that are constructed today, but are made according to the rules and traditions of classical sculpture can also be categorized as classical architectural bas relief.

Classical architectural bas relief in Ancient Rome and Greece made use of various materials, including marble, stone, and bronze. Often, architectural bas relief was also completed on building walls, so the artist would make use of whatever type of material the building happened to be constructed from. The subjects of architectural bas relief are helpful in determining whether the work is classical. Works done by the Ancient Greeks and Romans often depicted humans and gods (who also frequently assumed human forms). Those who made architectural bas relief sculptures took great care to ensure their rendering of the subjects featured in their works was as true to life as possible. Subjects were often depicted in profile, and the works frequently showed scenes of people worshipping or fighting in military battles.

Horses also appeared in the architectural bas relief of the Ancient Greeks, primarily when military combat was the subject of the work. Works featuring these themes, whether completed by the Ancient Greeks and Romans or by a bas relief manufacturer like Stromberg, can be accurately classified as classical architectural bas relief.