Film

The Fayum Portraits: Funerary Painting of Roman Egypt

1988 · 15m

This enigmatic short film presents fifty Egyptian funerary portraits from the region of Fayum. Painted during Roman rule between 100 and 300 A.D., these striking, psychological works were executed in encaustic while their subjects were alive and later used to cover their faces after mummification. Narration includes excerpts from late Hellenistic texts including religious works and first-hand accounts from the dwellers of Fayum themselves, along with commentary from the art historian Richard Brilliant.

• Andrea SimonDirector
• Bob RosenDirector

Release date

January 1, 1988

Status

Released

Original language

English

Runtime

15m