Mummy Portrait of a Man

In Roman Egypt (30 BC-AD 324), artists adapted naturalistic painting styles to the ancient custom of making portrait masks for mummies. The portraits were often painted while the subject was in the prime of life and were hung in the home until the person's death. This practice continued in northern Egypt well into the Early Byzantine period.

Provenance:
H. Martyn Kennard, London [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Sale, Sotheby's, London, July 16, 1912; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1913 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit:
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1913

Period:
Roman Imperial

Creator:
Egyptian [Artist]

Website:
art.thewalters.org