Faces from the Past

Beautiful pictures of Faiyum portraits accompanied by the 'reconstructed Egyptian' music of Rafael Pérez Arroyo, Hymn to the Seven Hathor, from 'the Age of the Pyramids'.

"Faces from the Past"
The portraits of Faiyum (Egypt - I th BC - II th AD)



Portraits of FAYUM ...gaze into Eternity
Music:Ross Daly "Bayati" from IRIS

FAYUM-Mummy portraits

Portraits have been found in all parts of Egypt,but are especially common in the Fayum Basin,particularly from Hawara and Antinoopolis.
The portraits covered the faces of bodies that were mummified for burial.Almost all have been detached from the mummies.
In termes of artistic tradition,the images clearly derives more from Greco-Roman traditions than Egyptian ones.
The population of Fayum area was greatly enhanced by a wave of Greek emigrants during the Ptolemaic period,initially by veterans soldiers who settled in the area.
The majority images show a formal portrait of a single figure,facing and looking toward the viewer.
from an angle that is usually slightly turned from full face.
The figures are presented as busts against a monochrome background wich in some instances is decorated.
The individuals are both male and female and range, in age from childhood to old age.