Excavated by W.M. Flinders
Petrie in his two epoch-making campaigns of 1888 and 1910-1911.
This is the only one of the Fayum portraits to depict a priest of
Serapis, who can be recognized by the seven-pointed star on his
diadem. The hair and beard recall images of the god. The powerful face
is not idealized, and we seem to glimpse the dark world of pagan
ritual.
This is the work of a great master, in its truthfulness reminiscent of
the late works of Rembrandt. The sense of energy is intensified by the
thick impasto of the painting in the areas of the flesh and hair;
free, confident brushstrokes on the white garments contrast with
short, controlled marks made by both brushes and the hard tool on the
portrait itself.
click here for a detailed image
[picture no.31 of the book]
