Mummy Portrait of a Boy 200

This is the "Mummy Portrait of a Boy," a painting on wood panel from Roman Egypt. The portrait is dominated by the boy's face, painted with a direct gaze. The artist used light and shadow to model the face, creating a sense of three-dimensionality, while linear brushstrokes define the planes of the face. The composition centres on symmetry, with a vertical alignment of the nose and mouth. The focal point is undeniably the eyes, which are large, dark, and intensely expressive, drawing viewers into an intimate encounter. The dark necklace provides a formal counterpoint to the bright robe. The rendering of the hair, with two dark curls above the forehead, breaks the symmetry, drawing attention to the subject's individuality. The use of encaustic—mixing pigment with hot wax—gives the surface a unique texture and depth. This is more than a depiction; it is a complex statement about identity and the mediation between life and death.