Egypt’s Fayoum mummy portraits to travel abroad for first time

Egypt has completed the restoration of the 'Tondo of the Two Brothers,' a 2nd-century painting from the Fayum portraits collection. The artwork was restored by specialists from Rome and Egyptian Museum conservators over three weeks.

The Fayum portraits, typically painted on thin wooden panels and placed over mummies, blend Egyptian funerary traditions with Greco-Roman artistic influences. This particular piece is notable for its circular shape and depiction of two individuals.

Egypt will lend a significant portion of the collection to a temporary exhibition in Rome, marking the first time the artwork will be displayed outside Egypt. The exhibition is scheduled to run from November to May 2027.

The restoration revealed details of the brother on the right, using a technique involving pigments mixed with molten wax. Conservators faced challenges due to the fragile condition of both the wooden panel and the painted surface.

Aly Abdel Halim, director general of the Egyptian Museum, highlighted the need for careful intervention during the restoration process.

Tomaso Radaelli, chairman of MondoMostre, the exhibition’s organizer, noted the event will showcase a diverse range of artifacts from the Fayum collection.