Fayum art is an ancient style that began when the Romans occupied various areas of Egypt. This is a term derived from the name of the place where numerous such items have been found. These items are portraits that were buried alongside the dead. Today, these can be viewed in a number of museums.
When Romans first occupied Egypt, Greeks started to live alongside with the Egyptians. As more Romans arrived and as intermarriages occurred, the beliefs and practices of both civilizations began merging. One of the results of these interracial interaction was the practice of painting images and then leaving it with the dead.
The images were found in mummy burials, often placed on the faces of the dead. Many have survived for thousands of years, the colors still as vibrant as ever. This would not have been possible in a different climate. The hot and dry weather is thought to have contributed to their preservation.
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 subjects are many and varied. Both women and men were depicted. The ages of the subjects ranged from children to young adults. Wood panels were often the medium of choice for the artists. There are however instances when the linen itself or the shroud was sometimes used. To produce the desired portrait, two techniques were often used.
The encaustic technique is one such method. This technique involves the use of heated wax when mixing the pigments. The end product is durable and resistant to yellowing since no oil was used. The second technique is called the egg tempera technique. The yolk of an egg is mixed in with the paints to produce the needed colors.
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.
To date, there are only around nine hundred pieces to have been found. Many of these are already being included in exhibits in a number of museums. Do not be surprised if there is little detail about these paintings as many have been excavated improperly. You will be able to find portraits of men and women in varying stages of their life.
Many are not aware that these portraits are considered examples of fayum art. Though these pieces have not achieved the distinction that other Egyptian artifacts have, they are still valuable pieces that demonstrate that the Romans once occupied Egypt. With the skill with which each subject has been rendered, the portraits are striking images to behold.
When Romans first occupied Egypt, Greeks started to live alongside with the Egyptians. As more Romans arrived and as intermarriages occurred, the beliefs and practices of both civilizations began merging. One of the results of these interracial interaction was the practice of painting images and then leaving it with the dead.
The images were found in mummy burials, often placed on the faces of the dead. Many have survived for thousands of years, the colors still as vibrant as ever. This would not have been possible in a different climate. The hot and dry weather is thought to have contributed to their preservation.
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 subjects are many and varied. Both women and men were depicted. The ages of the subjects ranged from children to young adults. Wood panels were often the medium of choice for the artists. There are however instances when the linen itself or the shroud was sometimes used. To produce the desired portrait, two techniques were often used.
The encaustic technique is one such method. This technique involves the use of heated wax when mixing the pigments. The end product is durable and resistant to yellowing since no oil was used. The second technique is called the egg tempera technique. The yolk of an egg is mixed in with the paints to produce the needed colors.
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.
To date, there are only around nine hundred pieces to have been found. Many of these are already being included in exhibits in a number of museums. Do not be surprised if there is little detail about these paintings as many have been excavated improperly. You will be able to find portraits of men and women in varying stages of their life.
Many are not aware that these portraits are considered examples of fayum art. Though these pieces have not achieved the distinction that other Egyptian artifacts have, they are still valuable pieces that demonstrate that the Romans once occupied Egypt. With the skill with which each subject has been rendered, the portraits are striking images to behold.
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