Final answer:
Hierarchical scale is used by artists to denote the relative importance of figures in a composition, with the larger figures being of greater significance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an artist uses scale to indicate the relative importance of elements in a composition, this method is known as hierarchical scale. This form of scale representation is frequently seen in historical and religious artworks, where the size of figures is directly proportional to their importance or status within the depicted narrative. For instance, in Ancient Egyptian art, pharaohs are presented much larger than the subjects around them to convey their higher status. Another example is in the sculpture Pieta by Michelangelo, where Mary is sculpted slightly larger than Jesus to emphasize her importance and to make the composition visually and psychologically compelling.