Fayum Mummy Portrait

The identity of the young man portrayed above remains a mystery, yet his visage originates from one of the Fayum Mummy Portraits. These portraits adorned wooden panels and depicted individuals from the upper echelons of society who passed away during the Roman dominion over Egypt. Intended to shroud the faces of mummified bodies, these portraits offer a glimpse into the individuals beneath the bandages. Nonetheless, the majority of these portraits have been separated from the mummies they once adorned.

Approximately 900 of these distinctive portraits have been retrieved, and they hold substantial esteem among art enthusiasts. Presently, these artifacts command substantial prices at auctions, often exceeding $100,000 per piece.