Final answer:
Relief sculptures are decorative elements that remain attached to a solid background and can either be high relief with pronounced projections, or low (bas) relief with subtle projections. The type of relief can be identified by examining the depth and shadowing of the sculpted elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relief sculpture is a significant category within the field of sculpture where the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid background, forming a design that is projected at varying depths.
There are several types of relief sculpture: high relief and low (bas) relief are two of the most common. High relief sculpture involves elements that project significantly from the background, often with deep undercuts, leading to pronounced shadows and a more three-dimensional effect. This can be commonly seen in architectural adornments. In contrast, low relief, or bas-relief, is characterized by shallower projections from the background, resulting in more subtle shadows and a less pronounced three-dimensional look.
Without the provided examples, it's impossible to determine what type of relief sculpture each might be. However, by examining the depth of the relief and the shadows created by the figures or elements, one can ascertain whether it is high or low relief. High relief will show darker and more extreme shadows, suggesting that the forms are cut deeper into the medium, while low relief will exhibit lighter shadows and a subtler three-dimensional effect.