Ancient Faces: Mummy Portraits in Roman Egypt

by Susan Walker (Editor)

From the first major discoveries a century ago, the painted portraits of Roman Egypt were a revelation to scholars and the public alike, and the recent finding of a new cache of these gilded images, which made national headlines, have only heightened their mystery and appeal. Published to coincide with a new major exhibition of these portraits, Ancient Faces is the most comprehensive, up-to-date survey of these astonishing works of art.

Dating from the later period of Roman rule in Egypt, shortly before the birth of Christ, the painted mummy portraits are among the most remarkable products of the ancient world, a fusion of the traditions of pharonic Egypt and the Classical world. They are historical and cultural objects of outstanding importance and beauty, superb works of art that represent some of the earliest known examples of life-like portraiture. Though the subjects of the portraits believed in the traditional Egyptian cults, which offered them a firm prospect of life after death, they also wished to be commemorated in the Roman manner, with their fashion of dress and adornment signaling their status in life. Despite their ancient history, these portraits speak to the modern eye with a beauty and intensity that would be lost to portraiture until the Renaissance.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Egypt, Ancient History, Archaeology, Art History

168 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Dr Susan Walker (2 spaces), Keeper, Department of Antiquities, Ashmolean Museum

Research Interests: Greek and Roman art; Hellenistic and Roman Egypt.

Reviews

[Drianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catalogue from the version of this exhibit of the mummy portraits of Roman Egypt at the Met (expanded from the 1997 version accompanying the version at the BM). Helpful introductory material, although I wish Doxiadis’ remarks on the techniques had been considerably longer. The point is of course the catalogue, which is awesome, full of great photographic reproductions and ample description. Many of these portraits I had never seen before.

[Logan Truesdell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good reference book. Has come in very handy for preparing to write an honors paper for college. Images are very good quality. I appreciate that they tell us background and label the images with descriptions and numbers for easy tracking. Especially love how many named portraits were included.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and haunting. A collection of mummy portrait paintings from Egypt under Roman rule, first to third A.D. Some of the earliest portraits in existence, very exquisite. This was first published as a companion book to the Met exhibit in 2000, which was incredible. I believe they still have a few on exhibit.

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

from the late 1st century BC or the early 1st century AD onwards. It is not clear when their production ended, but some research suggests the middle of the 3rd century