The term fayum art describes a form of art which dates back many centuries. These are realistic portraits of people who were living in Egypt in the Coptic period. They have been found in the tombs throughout Egypt. Although many of them were found in tombs in the Fayum Basin, the term refers to style rather than geography.
These portraits were found covering the faces of bodies which had been mummified. They were painted on panels of hard wood like oak, cedar, cypress and fig. The panels were then bound to the wrapping cloths covering the bodies.
Although painting on panels was a highly respected art form in the classical world, few examples have remained. These portraits are amongst the best of those surviving. They are well preserved, with eye-catching, vivid colors. This is probably due to having been buried in the dry, hot Egyptian sand.
The portraits vary in quality, depending on the talent of the painter. Analyses have revealed that they made use of formulaic representations, adding various features like hairstyles to give the impression of individuality. The portraits are full frontal, showing only the head and sometimes the shoulders of individuals. There is a concentration on the facial features and the realism in most cases is admirable. Some even appear three-dimensional due to the way light and shade is used.
The encaustic technique which was initially used for painting, was a laborious one but it did produce excellent effects. Pigment and wax was used and this was applied to a prepared layer which prevented paint from sinking into the wood. The colors and texture produced using this method gave a bold, life-like quality to the work. At a later stage, the tempura technique was preferred. This was a quicker method and cheaper but the colors produced were chalkier.
It appears to be the upper classes of society who are represented in these portraits. Not all mummies were found with portraits and it seems to have been only the wealthy and influential who could afford to commission one. Wealthy family members as well as leaders in government, the army and church were depicted. Inscriptions on the tombs, the clothing and hairstyles worn as well as other ornamentation all give clues as to the wealth and station of the individual.
The portraits are mostly of individuals at a young age. A reason for this could have been the low life expectancy of the time. Another reason offered for this is that the portrait was completed in the lifetime of the individual and displayed in the home. Newer research has indicated that they were in fact more likely to have been painted after the death of the individual.
Today it is possible to see fayum art in all the main archaeological museums. Those who have had the experience of seeing them, remark on their realism. They offer us a unique insight into a well respected art style as well as a glimpse at individuals who lived long, long ago.
These portraits were found covering the faces of bodies which had been mummified. They were painted on panels of hard wood like oak, cedar, cypress and fig. The panels were then bound to the wrapping cloths covering the bodies.
Although painting on panels was a highly respected art form in the classical world, few examples have remained. These portraits are amongst the best of those surviving. They are well preserved, with eye-catching, vivid colors. This is probably due to having been buried in the dry, hot Egyptian sand.
The portraits vary in quality, depending on the talent of the painter. Analyses have revealed that they made use of formulaic representations, adding various features like hairstyles to give the impression of individuality. The portraits are full frontal, showing only the head and sometimes the shoulders of individuals. There is a concentration on the facial features and the realism in most cases is admirable. Some even appear three-dimensional due to the way light and shade is used.
The encaustic technique which was initially used for painting, was a laborious one but it did produce excellent effects. Pigment and wax was used and this was applied to a prepared layer which prevented paint from sinking into the wood. The colors and texture produced using this method gave a bold, life-like quality to the work. At a later stage, the tempura technique was preferred. This was a quicker method and cheaper but the colors produced were chalkier.
It appears to be the upper classes of society who are represented in these portraits. Not all mummies were found with portraits and it seems to have been only the wealthy and influential who could afford to commission one. Wealthy family members as well as leaders in government, the army and church were depicted. Inscriptions on the tombs, the clothing and hairstyles worn as well as other ornamentation all give clues as to the wealth and station of the individual.
The portraits are mostly of individuals at a young age. A reason for this could have been the low life expectancy of the time. Another reason offered for this is that the portrait was completed in the lifetime of the individual and displayed in the home. Newer research has indicated that they were in fact more likely to have been painted after the death of the individual.
Today it is possible to see fayum art in all the main archaeological museums. Those who have had the experience of seeing them, remark on their realism. They offer us a unique insight into a well respected art style as well as a glimpse at individuals who lived long, long ago.