The Mummy of Demetrios 100

Here is the mummy of Demetrios, made during the Roman period in Egypt with linen, pigment and stucco. The wrapping of a mummy was no simple task. Think of all the linen strips, likely woven by skilled artisans, required to encase the body. These wrappings weren’t just functional; they were canvases. The portrait of Demetrios was painted onto a panel and incorporated into the mummy, along with gilded details and inscriptions. The portrait itself is also made in encaustic, meaning that the pigments were mixed with hot wax - a labor intensive and difficult process. The materials here are telling: linen, a common textile, contrasted with pricier materials like gold, suggesting Demetrios’s status in society. This wasn’t just about preserving a body, but crafting an identity, a performance of status and memory. When we look at an object like this, we should look past traditional distinctions between art and craft. Here, the artistry lies not just in the portrait, but also in the skilled labor of wrapping, weaving, and gilding, all combining to create a lasting image.