Alto-rilievo (Ital., 'high relief'), in Sculpture, used of figures projecting from the background on which they are carved, by at least half their thickness; so called as distinguished from basso-rilievo ('low relief'), and mezzo-rilievo (see RELIEF, SCULPTURE). The Elgin Marbles (q.v.) comprise the most notable high reliefs.
Alto-rilievo
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 1: A to Beaufort, p. 200
Source scan(s): p. 0215