ALTO-RILIEVO, iillt8-re-lyrevA (Ital. high relief). The term used in sculpture to designate that mode of representing objects by which they are made to project strongly and boldly from the background without being entirely detached. In alto-rilievo some portions of the figures usually stand quite free, and in this respect it differs not only from basso-rilicro, or low-relief, hut from the intermediate kind of relief known as meztl- rifler°, or semi-relief, in which the figures are fully rounded, but where there are no de tached portions. A fourth term in the series is ea vo-rilie en (q.v.), where the relief is sunk be low the ground surface. A fifth Italian term is to describe what is really drawing or outlining on marble or stone with little or no relief. It was used mainly in the background of Renaissance reliefs as the fur thest plane and as merely suggestive, beyond the work in hasso-rilievo. These five terms cover every possible variety of relief. Their historic use is given under RELIEF SCULPTURE and SCULP TURE, Il !STORY' OF. In order to be in high-re lief, objects ought actually to project somewhat more than half their thickness, no conventional means being employed in this style to give them apparent prominence. In low, or bas-relief, on the other hand, the figures are usually flattened; but means are adopted to prevent the projection from appearing to the eye to be less than half; because if an object projects less than half, or, to state it otherwise. is more than half buried in the
background, it is obvious that its true outline or profile cannot be represented. This rule, that in all reliefs there shall be either a real or an appar ent projection of at least half the thickness of round objects, was strictly observed in the best period of Greek art; but it has been often neg lected in the execution of reliefs in later times, and hence attempts have been made at foreshort ening and perspective, which have necessarily re sulted in partial failure. For illustration of re lief, see article Gut BERT'.
ALToTTING, lilt-Wing. A place of pilgrim age not far from the Inn, situated in one of the most beautiful and fertile plains of Upper Ba varia (flap: Bavaria, E 4). Multitudes of Catholics from Germany and Austria visit the ancient chapel containing a black wooden image of the Virgin (the Black Virgin),dating back to the eighth century, and great treasures of jewels. the hearts of Maximilian 1. and of many princes of the Bavarian family are interred there. In the Peter and Paul's Chapel lies the body of Count Tilly. Altetting was o•ig,inally a rilla regia, where several German emperors held their court. From 1838 to 1873 it was the headquar ters of the Redempto•ist Fathers, and at present is the site of a Capuchin monastery.