alto-relievo

[ al-toh-ri-lee-voh ]

noun

, plural al·to-re·lie·vos.

1. high relief.

alto-relievo

/ ˌæltəʊrɪˈliːvəʊ /

noun

1. another name for high relief

Word History and Origins

Origin of alto-relievo¹

First recorded in 1710–20, alto-relievo is from Italian alto rilievo “high relief”

Word History and Origins

Origin of alto-relievo¹

C18: from Italian

Example Sentences

This is her own description of it: The bed, which is silvered instead of gilt, rests on the backs of two large silver swans, so exquisitely sculptured that every feather is in alto-relievo, and looks nearly as fleecy as those of a living bird.

From Project Gutenberg

Bronze, in fine alto-relievo, of Curtius leaping into the gulf in the Forum at Rome.

From Project Gutenberg

Alto-relievo, Alto-rilievo, alt′o-re-lē′vo, n. high relief: figures projected by at least half their thickness from the background on which they are sculptured.

From Project Gutenberg

Helen was then taken to the beautiful alto-relievo of Bernini, representing the infants Christ and John playing together.

From Project Gutenberg

True, independent sculpture, and alto-relievo; rich capitals, and mouldings; to be elaborate in completion of form, not abstract, and either to be left in pure white marble, or most cautiously touched with color in points and borders only, in a system not concurrent with their forms.

From Project Gutenberg