BASSO-RELIEVO, or BAS-RELIEF, a piece of sculpture, where the figures or images do not protuberate or stand out much above the plane on which they are formed. All figures or representations which are cut, stamped, or otherwise wrought, so that not the entire body, but only part of it, is raised above the plane, are said to be done in relief or relievo; and when the work is low, flat, and but little raised, it is called low relief. If a piece of sculpture, a coin, or a medal, has its figure raised so as to be well distinguished, it is called bold, and we say its relief is strong.