Bärtiger Mann Mit Lockenfrisur 192

This panel painting of a bearded man with curly hair was made in Egypt, probably during the Roman period. These so-called Fayum portraits were produced in a cosmopolitan society, in which the culture of the ancient Egyptians came into contact with the classical world of the Greeks and Romans. The image is painted with encaustic – that is, with pigments dissolved in hot wax - on a wooden panel. These paintings were made for the elite members of Egyptian society, and reflect the social and cultural aspirations of their time. Though the practice of mummification was a long-held Egyptian tradition, the painted portraits reflect the influence of Roman art. They were placed over the faces of mummies to identify the deceased. The robes denote the man's class and status. These details provide insights into Roman Egypt's social structure. Historians of art and culture can examine these portraits alongside archaeological evidence and written sources to reconstruct the lives of the people who lived at that time. The meaning of art lies in its historical and institutional context.