The portraits were painted in Roman Egypt in the 1st-3rd centuries
American scientists from Northwestern University have uncovered the mystery of the "Fayum portraits" - posthumous images of mummies painted in Roman Egypt in the 1st-3rd centuries.
Scientists were able to establish that the iron-earth paints used in painting the portraits were most likely brought from the Greek island of Kea, and the red ones from Spain. Moreover, the wooden substrates on which the portraits were painted were brought from Central Europe. They also noted that local artists used Egyptian blue (copper and calcium double silicate) to create a rich spectrum of hues.
During the research, the researchers carefully studied 15 portraits of mummies, which, according to tradition, lay on the sarcophagi in the area of the face of the buried. Scientists managed to find out that three of the 15 images were made by the same master. The study used photometric and microspectrometric devices, as well as electron microscopy methods.
The researchers identified the brushstroke technique and the stages of drawing. In addition, they managed to find fingerprints of artists in the picture. The researchers insist that the methods they have applied will help both restorers and all those interested in the painting techniques of Egypt and Byzantium.