There are a number of museums that display ancient portraits that were found attached to Egyptian mummies. These portrait are examples of fayum art, pieces that were created when Alexander reigned in Egypt. The term is actually a name of an area in Egypt but it has long since been used to refer to this particular style of painting.
Few Greeks first lived alongside with the Egyptians but with intermarriage and the presence of more Romans, their cultures soon became enmeshed. These resulted into new customs, and an early form of portraiture. The pieces are remaining examples of how the Romans and the Egyptians combined their beliefs.
These portraits were placed on the faces of the mummies. They are one of the few remaining examples of the influence of Romans on the Egyptian culture. Their preservation is largely due to the climate they were exposed to. The temperature helped in keeping the paintings in good condition.
The practice of placing this items with the dead is a mixture of Roman and Egyptian customs. The portraits generally follow the Greek style of painting. The individuals that were depicted in these images often followed the Roman way of dressing. However, the fact that it is being buried with the dead speaks of Egyptian beliefs.
The pieces show people from different walks of life. They were painted on wood panels. These panels were then set in place using the cloth that was also used to wrap the mummy. In some cases, the cloth itself was used as a medium for the painting. Different techniques were used to produce a realistic image.
One common technique that was used is known as the encaustic technique. This is a method that involves the use of wax and pigments. Without the presence of oil, the portraits did not yellow. Later on, egg tempera was used to produce these portraits. With this technique, egg yolk was mixed with the pigments to produce a particular color.
They are considered valuable pieces because they are examples of classic antiquities. With the exact rendering of the subject, one can learn what they looked like and how they dressed. They are thought to be expensive items because only the wealthy and the privileged at that time could afford to have them made. Many think that these items were made after the subject had died.
Today, there are less than a thousand pieces left in existence. Most of these are displayed in exhibits in museums. Often enough, there is little information provided with each piece because most were not properly excavated from their sites. The portraits are images of both men and women, as well as children.
Alongside the many Egyptian artifacts that have engage the interest of the public for a long time, fayum art was all too often ignored. Their value however cannot be denied as they are antiquities that represent the combination of two great civilizations. The subjects are portrayed in a realistic light so that the end product can be striking even to the modern viewer. These portraits provide a glimpse into ancient times.
Few Greeks first lived alongside with the Egyptians but with intermarriage and the presence of more Romans, their cultures soon became enmeshed. These resulted into new customs, and an early form of portraiture. The pieces are remaining examples of how the Romans and the Egyptians combined their beliefs.
These portraits were placed on the faces of the mummies. They are one of the few remaining examples of the influence of Romans on the Egyptian culture. Their preservation is largely due to the climate they were exposed to. The temperature helped in keeping the paintings in good condition.
The practice of placing this items with the dead is a mixture of Roman and Egyptian customs. The portraits generally follow the Greek style of painting. The individuals that were depicted in these images often followed the Roman way of dressing. However, the fact that it is being buried with the dead speaks of Egyptian beliefs.
The pieces show people from different walks of life. They were painted on wood panels. These panels were then set in place using the cloth that was also used to wrap the mummy. In some cases, the cloth itself was used as a medium for the painting. Different techniques were used to produce a realistic image.
One common technique that was used is known as the encaustic technique. This is a method that involves the use of wax and pigments. Without the presence of oil, the portraits did not yellow. Later on, egg tempera was used to produce these portraits. With this technique, egg yolk was mixed with the pigments to produce a particular color.
They are considered valuable pieces because they are examples of classic antiquities. With the exact rendering of the subject, one can learn what they looked like and how they dressed. They are thought to be expensive items because only the wealthy and the privileged at that time could afford to have them made. Many think that these items were made after the subject had died.
Today, there are less than a thousand pieces left in existence. Most of these are displayed in exhibits in museums. Often enough, there is little information provided with each piece because most were not properly excavated from their sites. The portraits are images of both men and women, as well as children.
Alongside the many Egyptian artifacts that have engage the interest of the public for a long time, fayum art was all too often ignored. Their value however cannot be denied as they are antiquities that represent the combination of two great civilizations. The subjects are portrayed in a realistic light so that the end product can be striking even to the modern viewer. These portraits provide a glimpse into ancient times.
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