Fayum mummy portrait 

This Fayum mummy portrait, housed in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Germany, depicts a young woman with dark hair and a pensive expression. The painting is a striking example of the Fayum portrait style, which was popular in Roman Egypt between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. These portraits were painted on wooden panels and placed over the faces of deceased individuals in their tombs, serving as a visual representation of the departed. The realistic details of the woman’s features, particularly the eyes, lend a sense of life and individuality to this ancient artifact, offering a glimpse into the beauty standards and artistic practices of the time.