Compare and Contrast Relief Sculpture using these works of art
Discuss, Compare and Contrast Relief Sculpture using these works of art: Halicarnassus, East Frieze, in the British Museum, London, England, Figure 3.2, and Oscar Wilde’s Gravestone in Pere LaChaise Cemetery, Paris, France.
The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was constructed between 350 and 353 BC by Artemisia after the death of her partner Mausolus died in Halicarnassus. Mausolus and his wife had ruled over Halicarnassus and its surroundings for roughly 24years. The tomb was built to symbolize the clash between the Amazons and the Greeks (“Mausoleum at Halicarnassus”). Oscar Wilde’s Gravestone is a structure that was carved in 1914 by Jacob Epstein. The structure that took roughly ten months to be completed was carved out of a 20-tonne block of stone. This tomb has a winged symbol similar to the Sphinx on a frontward flight with perpendicularly extended wings and is thought to be inspired by Wilde’s poem The Sphinx (“Oscar Wilde”).
Both the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and Oscar Wilde’s Gravestone are three- dimensional structures because they have depths. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was constructed from stones, 80 feet high 1,340 feet in circumference. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde’s Gravestone is roughly 8 inches in width and 12 inches tall (“Oscar Wilde Gravestone”). Both relief sculptures were carved out of block of stones. Bas-relief is a sculpture method where figures appear protruding from a flat background (Staff). Oscar Wilde’s Gravestone is a sculpture that slightly protrudes from the background. Haute-relief is a technique used in statues where a figure is engraved from the ground (Staff). For instance, the East Frieze Halicarnassus is an Haute-relief sculpture because the horse and bodies of soldiers seem to be extending from a flat surface.
Works Cited
“Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, 26 July 2018, www.ancient.eu/Mausoleum_at_Halicarnassus/.
“Oscar Wilde Gravestone.” Etsy, www.etsy.com/ca/listing/639759009/oscar-wilde-gravestone.
“Oscar Wilde.” Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/biography/Oscar-Wilde.
Staff, Buzzle. “Bas-relief Vs. High Relief: Comparing Popular Sculpture Techniques.” Art Hearty, 11 Apr. 2014, arthearty.com/bas-relief-vs-high-relief-sculpture-technique.