Composite portrait of a man

Early 2nd century CE · Painting

Can I see it?

Yes, on view now

Where is “Composite portrait of a man” now? Harvard Art Museums, Gallery 3740, floor 3, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Cambridge. Yes, on view now. Checked September 29, 2026.

Harvard Art Museums

Cambridge, United States

Room3740, floor 3, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art

On public display.

Checked: 11 days ago
In this state since: Sep 27, 2026
Source: The museum

On the map Museum page

About the painting

LIVE LIKE A ROMAN: DAILY LIFE OBJECT COLLECTION

Almost all mummy portraits from the Roman period came from Northern Egypt, in an area called the Fayum. Mummy portraits are a unique representation of the human form. This medium developed in Egypt and had its roots in Egyptian burial practices. Egypt was taken over by the Romans in 30 BCE, after Octavian (later Augustus) defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE. Roman Egypt became a mixture of imported customs and deep-seated, Egyptian tradition. Mummy portraits were most popular in the 1st to 3rd centuries CE.

Read on

Mummy portraits were probably painted while the deceased was still alive. There is some debate as to whether they are idealized or painted in the exact likeness of the person. They are usually painted on wooden panels or on linen, most often utilizing the encaustic technique. Encaustic painting uses heated wax with pigment added to create colors.

The portrait was attached to the coffin or mummy in the place where the face would be. They give us a glimpse into upper-class life in Roman Egypt, since only a wealthy person could afford to commission their painting. In addition, most females (and some males) are depicted wearing elaborate jewelry, often made of gold and featuring many precious stones. Some female mummy portraits show the deceased wearing up to seven necklaces.

[Jessica Pesce, 8/2010]

Harvard Art Museums