This object may have been attached to a faience vessel. The rather frightening appearance of the head is similar to representations of the Egyptian dwarf-god Bes or Greek satyrs.For the latest information about this object, appliqué (visual works), visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Inscriptions: Reign: Style:
This sketch depicts a king wearing the "blue crown," a collar, and two strings of gold beads. His stubble beard is a sign of mourning. The features of the king make it likely that Seti I is represented. The elaborate execution of the royal image, which is without doubt the work of a master painter, differs from the depiction of the two hands. This sketch was probably a model for trainees, and was later reused for other training purposes by an experienced artist. It is interesting that the painter of the royal head has chosen the topic of a stubble-bearded king, which was not part of the official motifs.For the latest information about this object, ostraka; sketches, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: 19th DynastyInscriptions: [Number] 3111Reign: Seti I (1290-1279/8) (?)Style: early Ramesside
Prior to the Roman Period, the likeness of the deceased on the mummy mask, coffin, and sarcophagus was an idealized representation that conformed to the general style of the period. With the arrival of Roman rule in Egypt, mummy portraits became increasingly naturalistic. The new style of portraiture was sometimes rendered in two-dimensional paintings on a wood panel or on linen. The panel portraits were made in either tempera paint or in encaustic, like this example. Encaustic painting is a technique in which the pigment is dissolved in wax before it is applied to the surface.For the latest information about this object, mummy portraits; death masks, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: RomanInscriptions: Reign: Marcus AureliusStyle:
This icon, one of the finest in North America, features the "Anastasis," or the Resurrection of Christ, the traditional Byzantine image depicting Christ's descent into hell to redeem the Just of the Old Testament. In the upper portion of the painting, the Harrowing of Hell is shown. In the Christian tradition, this is the period of time between Christ's burial on Good Friday and the discovery of his Resurrection on Easter Sunday, when Christ was thought to have entered hell, defeated Satan, and freed the worthy souls who had been imprisoned there, including David, Solomon, John the Baptist and other prophets, and the first parents, Adam and Eve. Beneath is a depiction of the Holy Women mourning at Christ's tomb and then learning of the Resurrection from the angel.For the latest information about this object, icons, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Palaeologan DynastyInscriptions: [Translation] Of Greek inscription: And the women were sitting opposite the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there to see [the place] where He had been buriedReign: Style: Byzantine
Saint Andrew, holding a scroll, looks intently to his left, indicating that the panel once may have formed part of a group of icons with Christ at the center. It may have been placed on the upper tier of an "iconostasis," the screen dividing the sanctuary from the nave in an Orthodox Church. The color scheme of the icon is unusual in its use of extremely bright colors for the saint's robe and a mustard yellow - instead of gold - for the background.For the latest information about this object, icons, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: Palaeologan DynastyInscriptions: Reign: Style:
The woman in this fragmentary painting from a tomb wall has a wig of long, full hair, held in place by a flowered headband and topped with an ointment cone, a perfumed substance placed on wigs that gave off a fragrant aroma as it melted. A lotus blossom adorns the front of the headband. She holds a rattle called a sistrum, which women often played during temple ceremonies. What remains of the inscription suggests that she may have served with the temple staff of the god Amen.For the latest information about this object, wall paintings, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: 19th DynastyInscriptions: [Inscription] In black paint on yellow: remains of 4 vertical lines of inscription; [Translation] ...(his) sister...the lady...of AmunReign: Ramesses II-MerenptahStyle: Ramesside
Traces of red grid lines can be seen in this fragmentary painting from a tomb wall. It depicts a half-kneeling, half-squatting, woman in front of an offering table. The grid was used in ancient Egypt to assure the right proportions and layout of paintings and reliefs.For the latest information about this object, mural paintings; fragments, visit art.thewalters.org.Dynasty: 18th DynastyInscriptions: Reign: Style:
