Decorating mummified remains with portraits became popular in the late 1st century BCE, after Egypt was conquered by the Roman Empire. Instead of the stylized depictions painted on wooden coffins that were traditional in ancient Egypt, these realistic portraits of the deceased were created on wooden panels or linen shrouds and secured on top of the mummified remains. Learn about the ongoing technical research into how they were made and with what materials. Findings from the MFA’s Romano-Egyptian funerary portraits are part of the APPEAR (Ancient Panel Paintings: Examination, Analysis, and Research) Project.

With Evelyn Mayberger, assistant conservator, Objects Conservation Laboratory.

Free with general admission. No advance registration or tickets required. Talks meet at Sharf Visitor Center.