Fayum art is a term used to refer to portraits that were found in mummy burials. Numerous such portraits were found in Egypt in a place known as Faiyum so that the name was later on used to refer to this particular style. These pieces were made during the time when Romans reigned in Egypt and are regarded to be good examples of panel 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 top of the mummies. Surprisingly enough, despite the hundreds of years that these pieces have been buried, they are still in good condition. The colors remained unchanged over time. Experts in the field think that this is largely due to the dry climate.
You can see the Roman influence in the appearance of the images. The portraits were painted in the style used by the Greeks. If one examines the subjects closely, one will observe that they are dressed fashionably in the style of the Romans. The practice of placing them with the mummies is reminiscent of beliefs in the afterlife, an Egyptian influence.
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 such technique is called the encaustic technique. In this method of painting, hot wax is mixed with the colors. Since oil is not present, the products will not turn yellow. The other technique is called the egg tempera. As one can deduce from the name, egg is one of the materials. The yolk is used with the pigments.
They are significant pieces because they date back to classical times. It is a chance to get a glimpse of how these two cultures mixed. By observing the subject, one knows how they might have looked and how they dressed at that time. The items are thought to be valuable because their production was only limited to the wealthy. They are thought to have been made after the death of the subject.
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 top of the mummies. Surprisingly enough, despite the hundreds of years that these pieces have been buried, they are still in good condition. The colors remained unchanged over time. Experts in the field think that this is largely due to the dry climate.
You can see the Roman influence in the appearance of the images. The portraits were painted in the style used by the Greeks. If one examines the subjects closely, one will observe that they are dressed fashionably in the style of the Romans. The practice of placing them with the mummies is reminiscent of beliefs in the afterlife, an Egyptian influence.
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 such technique is called the encaustic technique. In this method of painting, hot wax is mixed with the colors. Since oil is not present, the products will not turn yellow. The other technique is called the egg tempera. As one can deduce from the name, egg is one of the materials. The yolk is used with the pigments.
They are significant pieces because they date back to classical times. It is a chance to get a glimpse of how these two cultures mixed. By observing the subject, one knows how they might have looked and how they dressed at that time. The items are thought to be valuable because their production was only limited to the wealthy. They are thought to have been made after the death of the subject.
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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