Fayum mummy portrait 

This Fayum mummy portrait, housed in the Egyptian Museum of Berlin, is a striking example of Roman-era Egyptian portraiture. Created between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, these encaustic paintings on wood panels were placed over the faces of mummies. This particular portrait, with its lifelike details and penetrating gaze, captures the individual character of the deceased. Encaustic, a technique using heated beeswax and pigment, lends a unique depth and richness to the work. The use of a simple, frontal composition and the focus on realistic details create an intimate and personal connection with the subject, allowing us to glimpse into the lives of people from this fascinating period in history.