Relief Sculpture Research Articles

A Figurine Wearing a Sleeveless Coat from Sandy, Bedfordshire

Abstract In 2018, the AOC Archaeology Group unearthed a unique Roman figurine in Sandy, Bedfordshire, likely an offering in a domestic shrine or lararium. The figurine features a distinctive Gallic cloak, similar to those found on copper-alloy figurines in Trier and Cambridgeshire and on numerous relief sculptures. It may be related to the hooded garment known as the birrus mentioned in Diocletian's Edict on Maximum Prices of a.d. 301, including the expensive Birrus Britannicus.

Integrating art and culture into modern architectural buildings in Nigeria: The cases of Akure, Benin, and Ibadan

Modernism in architecture has witnessed the erosion of traditions, art, culture, and beliefs of Indigenous southwestern Nigerians in recent architectural developments. This phenomenon has stripped most modern buildings, especially in southwestern Nigeria, of their cultural values. This study delves into the historical context of Nigerian art and architecture, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift toward a more culturally inclusive approach. It investigates various strategies and presents examples of successful integration, including the utilization of traditional materials, incorporation of indigenous motifs, and collaboration with local artists and craftsmen. This research examines three cultural center buildings where the architects have endeavored to integrate the art and culture of the people of southwestern Nigeria into contemporary architecture. The case study method of inquiry was adopted for this research, combined with detailed observation and analysis of digital photographs of these buildings. The study highlights the relevance of art and culture in recent architectural developments in three southwestern Nigerian cities: Akure, Benin, and Ibadan. These cities were selected because of their historical backgrounds and rich cultural affiliations that reflect the art and lifestyle of their localities. The cases studied were cultural center buildings because these building types are purposely built to reflect the culture of the people. Findings from the study reveal that some modern buildings still imbibe the art and culture of the people, while others incorporate these elements in more subtle ways, such as mural paintings and relief sculptures on walls. These features connote cultural expressions and representations of Nigeria’s heritage, which should not be forgotten but preserved for future generations.

Identifying, restoring, and remastering of the Sarinah relief sculpture in Jakarta of Indonesia: the limitations of time, space, and technology

The Sarinah historic building transformation project in Jakarta, Indonesia (2020–2022) is an adaptive reuse of the original building formed through a scientific conservation process. Therefore, this research identified, restored, and remastered the Sarinah relief sculpture of alto-relievo (high relief) and mezzo-relievo (medium relief). The invasive demolition method was used to form an atrium space to show the reappearance of the artwork by dismantling two layers of building floors above where the relief was found. The non-invasive method was implemented (a) by identifying damaged mapping artifacts, (b) by restoring, cleaning, and repairing the broken artifacts, and (c) by remastering the 3D model. All activities were supported by digital applications such as the Cartesian diagram coordinates, AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Zbrush software, and close-range photogrammetry. The case study's contribution to heritage science showed the process used to restore alto-relievo and mezzo-relief within time, space, and technology limitations.

RELIEF AND GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF REGIONAL LANDSCAPE PARKS “PRYTYSIANSKYI” AND “CHERNIVETSKYI”

Eight regional landscape parks (RLP) are located on the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians, which play an important role in relief and natural complexes protecting within the region. RLP significantly complements the nature protection functions of two nature reserves and 13 national parks in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Six RLPs are located in the mountainous part of the region, and regional landscape parks "Prytisyanskyi" and "Chernivetskyi" are within the premountain uplands, the natural complexes of which are insufficiently protected. Within the boundaries of the Precarpathian Upland there are sections of two national nature parks such as Halytskyi and Hutsulshchyna. There are no nature reserves or national nature parks within the Zakarpattia (Transcarpathian) Plain. Regional landscape parks "Prytisyanskyi" and "Chernivetskyi" due to the cluster structure of the territories significantly improve the state of protection of premountain natural complexes. In the relief of the southern section of RLP "Prytisyanskyi", the dominant position covers by the low and high floodplains, less often by the first floodplain terrace of the Tysa River. The relief of the northern part of the park is represented by low and high floodplains, fragments of the first floodplain terrace. A complex of different types of meanders is observed in the channel of Latoritsa River. RLP "Prytisyanskyi" fairly fully represents the features of the geological structure and fluvial relief of the Uzhgorod-Beregivska and Vylok-Korolevska alluvial plains of the Zakarpattia (Transcarpathian) Plain with island volcanic hills. Most of the territory of RLP "Chernivetskyi" on the west and south from Chernivtsi city covers by Chernivtsi Upland with a layered and hilly sculptural relief and Mount Tsetsyna (537 m). The park includes separate sections of low terraces along the Prut River. The northern part of the RLP is represented by the Khotyn Upland with Mount Berda (516 m) as the highest point of the Ukraine’s plain part within the East European Platform. The Khotyn Upland is an asymmetric hilly plateau. Its the highest peaks are formed by structural surfaces with steep slopes. The lower level of relief in the RLP is represented by watersheds with karst forms (karst funnels, polje). RLP "Chernivetskyi" represents the geological and geomorphological structure of the Chernivtsi-Storozhynetsky strand-hilly upland of the Pokut-Bukovinsk-Peredkarpattian stratum-denudation-accumulative Upland, as well as the Khotyn structural Upland of the Prut-Dnister stratum-wave Plain. Keywords: Regional landscape park; RLP "Prytisyanskyi"; RLP "Chernivetskyi"; Ukrainian Carpathians; relief.

The Polychromatic Inscriptions on the Relief Sculpture Deposition from the Cross by Benedetto Antelami in Parma Cathedral, Italy

This paper reports on the studies carried out on engraved inscriptions of the Deposition from the Cross by Benedetto Antelami (1150–1230), a relief sculpture conserved in the Cathedral of Parma (Italy). The inscriptions between the characters show residues of colored material in alternating red- and dark-colored stripes. The purpose of this specific investigation was to identify the materials (pigments and organic binders) used for the polychromy that are still present on the relief sculpture. Seven microsamples were taken to carry out laboratory analyses. In red-colored letters, mercury, and sulfur, constituents of the cinnabar (or vermilion) pigment were easily identified by SEM-EDS. This result is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and XRD measurements. In the dark letters, carbon, iron, and lead are observed. The presence of materials containing metals is compatible with a mastic encrustation technique. FT-IR, Raman, and XRD techniques clearly detect beeswax, which was probably used as a polishing material. Amino acids and lipids that are typical of eggs have been identified by means of GC-MS investigations, suggesting their use as organic components of the mastic encrustation.

3D change detection for cultural heritage monitoring: Two case studies of underground sculptural reliefs

The preservation of underground cultural heritage is a challenging goal. Difficult acquisition conditions, the need for uniformity of temporal data and the speed at which surfaces change are some of the issues to consider. Also, quantifiable three-dimensional data are often unavailable when assessing changes on sculptural reliefs because traditional records are two-dimensional. In this paper, we present a workflow to easily detect and measure 3D superficial changes in sculptural reliefs using the deviation analysis technique. We compared multitemporal surveys, testing a quantitative, replicable, and verifiable procedure in two case studies: the reliefs of Pakal's Tomb at Palenque, Mexico, and those of the Osimo Caves in Italy. Both are located underground and show similar superficial alterations such as material disaggregation, efflorescence, salt crusts, and biological colonization. The reliefs showed visible and quantifiable changes on the deviation maps. The procedure to detect changes can be implemented with models generated by structured light scanning as well as photogrammetry.

African Traditional Arts and Ornamentation in the Architecture of the Cultural Centre Ibadan

Art and architecture have been intertwined throughout history. Art in its various forms has played a vital role in the lives of African people as evident in their architecture. The paper reviewed the African visual culture with respect to ornamentation in the built environment as well as the variations of cultural heritage in the anthropogenic sense. The study adopted a qualitative approach using the case study method with the selection of the Cultural Centre Ibadan. The 1977 Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77) held in Lagos, Nigeria inspired the architecture of the National Theatre in Lagos, and other cultural centres in other cities in Nigeria including the Cultural Centre, Ibadan which exemplified African arts and ornamentation in its façade and spaces. The Cultural Centre Ibadan is a significant masterpiece adorned with African traditional arts and ornamentation. It embodies a bold fusion of art and architecture evident in the intricate sculptural reliefs that beautify its walls, the wooden and metal ornamentation embellishing its halls and lobbies, the luscious blend of geometrical forms and shapes in its façade, its harmony with the undulating landscape and the concrete anthropomorphic sculptural pieces that welcome guests into the entrance quadrangle. The themes of the arts and ornamentation of the Cultural Centre Ibadan reflect traditional Yoruba cultural festivals, philosophical and religious motifs that has transformed the building into a cultural heritage. Artfully embellished architecture with symbolic meanings like the Cultural Centre Ibadan affords the dividends of cultural emancipation, cultural renaissance and cultural preservation. The interweaving of art and architecture in public buildings should be promoted.

The aesthetic and technical dimensions of metal casting and benefiting from it in the field of relief sculpture for tourist souvenir coins

The aesthetic and technical dimensions of metal casting and benefiting from it in the field of relief sculpture for tourist souvenir coins

The aesthetic and plastic dimensions of using the technique of combining the art of painting and the art of relief sculpture.

The aesthetic and plastic dimensions of using the technique of combining the art of painting and the art of relief sculpture.

A Study on Scientific Conservation Treatment of Modern and Contemporary Relief Sculptures Based on Their Production Technique: A Case Study on 〈Shrimp〉 by Jin-kyu Kwon

This study described the preservation process of modern and contemporary relief sculpture and emphasized the importance of identification of the used materials through scientific analysis. <Shrimp> by Jin-kyu Kwon, was described as a “cement” object by the collection agency at the time of donation. However, in surface observation, it was assumed that various materials other than cement were used. Through scientific analysis and research, <Shrimp> was identified as cement work on gypsum plaster base. It was consistent with the production technique of Jin-kyu Kwon, who worked using ‘mixed media’ in the 1960s. Based on this, the material information of the work was corrected as ‘cement on gypsum(plaster)’ . Thus gypsum and cement were selected as conservation materials for the treatment. Considering this, a support frame was devised and applied in the conservation treatment of <Shrimp>. This study would present the possibility of selecting and applying suitable conservation treatment methods for modern and contemporary sculptures.

Lysippean models on two roman reliefs from Poetovio


 
 
 This contribution discusses two relief depictions, which follow the works of the Greek master Lysippus. One of the partially preserved reliefs, depicting a youth in motion, characterised by the lock of hair on the front has been in the hitherto literature differently interpreted; Josip Korošec explained it as Kairos. The depictions of that deity share the lock of hair above the front, nakedness, posture, and scales, attached to the cords of the scales, which could also be held by the Poetovian youth. Regarding the other stone relief, the direction of the movement is quite unusual and can be taken after gem depictions, which could (also due to some alterations in arm posture and lower quality) serve as the direct source.
 In the lateral side of the ara (either votive or funerary) Hercules, who follows the type of Weary Hercules, ascribed to Lysippus is depicted. The latter is (in contrast to the rarely imitated Kairos) one of the most widespread types in the Imperial era. The depictions of opera nobilia in Poetovian relief sculpture doubtless attest to the fact that the cultivated inhabitants were aware of and commissioned representations of the well-known works of Greek statuary.
 
 

Communication Theology in Relief Sculptures at Maduwe Karang Temple

As one of the temples in Buleleng Regency, Maduwe Karang Temple has potential cultural remains in the form of relief sculptures that are interesting to be studied. The present study aims to analyze the cultural remains in form of paintings and relief sculptures using the Communication Theology approach. The data for the present study were collected through field observation, supported by interviews and document study. The result of the analysis showed that the cultural remains in form of paintings and relief sculptures were based on social theology, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism theology which accumulated in Saiwasiddhanta.
 
 Received: 13 February 2023 / Accepted: 21 April 2023 / Published: 5 May 2023

The footballing past in the bustling paths: the museumization of topophilia at the seedbed of the Mohun Bagan Athletic Club in North Kolkata

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to examine a kind of open-air museumization of topophilic aspects of football in the birthplace of the Mohun Bagan Athletic Club in North Kolkata, West Bengal, India. While dealing with some graffiti, memorial plaques, and relief sculptures implanted in some public lanes of the Bagbazar-Sovabazar-Shyambazar area, it explores a sports-landscape bonding, which becomes instrumental for reminiscing, representing, and interpreting the heritage of an age-old football club during the new millennium. In doing so, this paper not only differs from the extant scholarships, which perceive museumizing of football only within the narrow premises of modern museums but also postulates that museumization of sports in an urban public space does not always get swayed by the for-profit model.

Remembering the Herero-Nama Genocide in Namibia

Remembering the Herero-Nama Genocide in Namibia

“In Honorable Remembrance to All Generations”: Commemoration and the Making of Mormon Battalion Memory, 1921–2021

“In Honorable Remembrance to All Generations”: Commemoration and the Making of Mormon Battalion Memory, 1921–2021

Review: A Maya Universe in Stone, edited by Stephen Houston

Review: <i>A Maya Universe in Stone</i>, edited by Stephen Houston

A forgotten Roman marble base in the National Museum of Archaeology

A badly damaged Roman marble base now in Valletta, Malta, was first published in 1647 and then in 1787. It has been neglected since, mainly because there have been doubts about whether or not it is a genuine antiquity. This study argues for its authenticity, and contextualizes the relief sculpture that decorates three of its sides. The front carries a depiction of Sicilia, the personification of the Roman province of Sicily to which the Maltese Islands belonged. The image is set in context within the small group of known personifications of Sicilia elsewhere. Identical side panels each show a man with what is interpreted here as a turtle balanced on his knee, an apparently unique depiction of these creatures in Roman sculpture. It is suggested that turtles, now scarce in the Mediterranean, were once plentiful in the waters off both Malta and Sicily. In a secondary period, perhaps in the late eighteenth century, the base was badly mutilated during its conversion for use as a fountain. Whether it ever functioned as such is uncertain.

Editorial Commentary

Editorial Commentary

Verbal and Visual Texts of the Rāma Narrative

This article examines what we mean by a text: is it verbal (whether written or oral), mental, visual, or a combination? All of these forms are found within the various types of artistic expression centred on the Rāmāyaṇa tradition. I start with the relief sculptures, some of which are centuries early than any extant manuscripts. After a brief comment on the evolution of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa text, I then survey in turn some prestige illustrated Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa manuscripts, less notable Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa manuscripts, illustrated manuscripts of the Rāmcaritmānas and other vernacular versions, and sets or series of paintings illustrating the Rāma story (including some single paintings), showing the diverse range of forms it has taken over time and something of the adaptations it has undergone.

Carnival and the Theme of Migration

Carnival and the Theme of Migration