Outstanding: The Relief from Classicism to the 1960s

The relief is a form of visual art that combines two- and three-dimensional expression, emancipating itself from the surface while remaining confined to the same. It gained importance for artists and theorists in the twentieth century, with artists such as Berthel Thorvaldsen, Paul Gauguin, August Rodin, Henri Matisse, Alexander Archipenko, Pablo Picasso, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, and Gerhard Richter creating works that explored new concepts of space.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 04 July 2023
Publisher: Prestel

The relief is a captivating form of visual art that straddles the boundaries between painting and sculpture, creating a unique hybrid between two- and three-dimensional expression. While it remains confined to the surface, it emancipates itself from its confines, defying traditional boundaries. This publication delves into the diverse manifestations of relief over a span of more than a century and a half, from 1800 to the 1960s. During this time, the medium gained increasing importance for artists and theorists alike, as classical methods of three-dimensional composition and sculptural invention gave way to a broader spectrum of materials, techniques, and their combinations.

In the nineteenth century, reliefs were predominantly created using traditional three-dimensional composition and sculptural invention methods. However, as the twentieth century progressed, the possibilities for reliefs expanded significantly. Artists began exploring new materials, techniques, and their combinations, resulting in the construction of reliefs in the form of collages and assemblages. This shift in approach allowed for a fresh conception of space that was not afraid to penetrate or even dissolve the support surfaces.

Some of the most notable artists who embraced the relief medium include Berthel Thorvaldsen, Paul Gauguin, August Rodin, Henri Matisse, Alexander Archipenko, Pablo Picasso, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, and Gerhard Richter. Their works, showcased in this publication, serve as a testament to the versatility and richness of the relief form.

Through a comprehensive examination of the various manifestations of relief, this publication aims to shed light on its significance for modernism. It explores how artists have used the medium to push the boundaries of artistic expression, challenge traditional hierarchies, and explore new ways of representing the world. The relief has played a vital role in shaping the visual landscape of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and its legacy continues to inspire and influence artists today.

Weight: 415g
Dimension: 280 x 230 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783791379869