A good view on tombstone art from ancient Egypt

One curious and artistic look at the Fayum Portraits, those famous funerary paintings from ancient Egypt that portrayed and immortalized the many faces from the period, from nobles to merchants and even relatives of servants. Amazingly beautiful portraits that survived the times and became a portal to makind's past, where we are allowed the chance to look on present day, imagine who they were as we watch those serious faces glancing at us.

Archeologist Richard Brilliant explains a little how those paintings were conceived without using normal paint, it was a whole unique and slow process used - don't remember the exact material - and he selected excerpts from ancient texts (narrated by actors) that reflect how some of those faces could view their encounter with death and meeting their ancestors or the gods; and in one particular moment, it's described the son of a noble's servant who felt to his death while enjoying some festivity. A quite emotional description, though it's hard to tell if any of the portraits featured are exactly related with the descriptions given as no names or status are revealed. But it's interesting to imagine.

A highly commendable and very educational short documentary on the history of art and ancient Egypt, and despite the morbid theme of death it's a quite attractive project done in artistic manner as we only watch the series of paintings being displayed (a collection spread all around the world from several museums), a fine change of routine for a documentary without having someone explaining things to us. 8/10.

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The Fayum Portraits: Funerary Painting of Roman Egypt

A solemn presentation of fifty striking funerary portraits from the region of Fayum in Egypt, painted during Roman rule between 100 and 300 A.D. Narration includes excerpts from first-hand accounts from the citizen of Fayum.

The Fayum Portraits: Funerary Painting of Roman Egypt (1988)

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The Fayum Portraits: Funerary Painting of Roman Egypt

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