Fayum Mummy Portraits
Lifelike paintings of people from Roman Egypt, placed on their mummies to remember them.
What is it?
Fayum mummy portraits are paintings on wooden panels that were attached to mummies in Roman Egypt (1st–3rd century AD). They show the person as they looked in life, often with realistic details like hairstyles and jewelry. The portraits were made using encaustic (wax) or tempera. Most were found in the Fayum region of Egypt. The portrait of the boy is a classic example.
Why it matters
These portraits are some of the oldest surviving realistic paintings of individuals. They give us a direct look at the faces of people who lived almost 2,000 years ago.
Where you've seen it
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