This Roman Egyptian portrait is an encaustic painting on a wooden panel, then inlaid into stone. Dating from 1st to 3rd Century Roman Egypt, it belongs to the mummy portrait tradition, where Greco-Roman portrait conventions met an Egyptian funerary purpose. Commissions have included door panels, wall tiles inset with portraits and distressed coffered ceilings, with no coffins yet. De Ferranti’s re-creations of Fayum portraits are available to special commission.

A Roman Egyptian Portrait with Quiet Asymmetry

The sitter is shown against a pale field with short dark curls, a warm ochre complexion and a gaze directed slightly to one side. A small earring and beaded necklace provide delicate detail, while the brown and muted rose drapery creates a softer palette than the stronger turquoise and red tones elsewhere in the group. The rectangular painted panel is held within a dark surround, giving the face the presence of a framed work.

The appeal of the Roman Egyptian portrait lies partly in this tension between immediacy and formality. Enlarged eyes and carefully modelled features give the sitter striking presence, while the slight turn of the gaze prevents the composition from feeling rigid. Fayum Mummy Portrait 2 provides a stronger colour contrast, while Fayum Mummy Portrait 5 explores a more irregular panel silhouette. Elsewhere at De Ferranti, the Officer and the Nude painted translucent marble panel shows how figurative painting can become part of a mineral surface, while Stencilled, Painted Stone & Marble offers related decorative approaches.

Scale and Project Use

The verified format is 30 x 30 cm, with a thickness of 2 cm and a custom finish. Listed applications include art installations, bathrooms, doors, kitchens, residential interiors, tiles and walling. For project use, consider viewing height, surrounding field material and lighting before finalising placement. The restrained palette can sit comfortably beside stone, timber or plaster finishes.

Project Guidance and Enquiries

For project guidance, availability, pricing, samples or further information, please use the Send E-Mail button below this description. Your enquiry will come directly to De Ferranti, and we will be pleased to discuss suitability, quantities, lead times and options for your project.