The Fayum portraits, remarkable artifacts that bring us closer to the people of ancient Egypt, are making headlines once again. These lifelike depictions, dating back to the 1st to 3rd centuries C.E., offer a unique glimpse into the lives of individuals who inhabited the Ptolemaic period over two millennia ago.
Originating from the Fayum Basin, a desert oasis located south of Cairo, these portraits were crafted for the burials of individuals from the upper classes of society. The region’s warm and arid climate has played a crucial role in their preservation. The portraits’ realistic style is akin to modern-day photographs, capturing the likeness of the deceased as they appeared in life.
Since the initial discovery by British archaeologist Flinders Petrie in 1888, nearly 1,000 Fayum portraits have been unearthed. This October, one of the most captivating examples—referred to as Portrait L—will be featured for sale at Frieze London, carrying a seven-figure asking price, as reported by its current owner, the Chelsea-based gallery ArtAncient.
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