Portrait Mask of a Young Man
Artist/Culture
Roman
Artist
Romano-Egyptian
Date2nd Century
Mediumpainted plaster (traces of red and black paint)
Dimensions24.8 x 18 x 14.5 cm (9 3/4 x 7 1/16 x 5 11/16 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineAustin S. Garver Fund
Object number1970.53
Descriptionfrom Roman EgyptLabel TextIn Roman Egypt funerary portraiture was not limited to two-dimensional mummy portraits.Plaster masks were attached to the lids of wooden coffins so that the deceased appeared to recline with their heads slightly raised. Part of the cloak worn by this young man can still be seen at the back of his head. How was this made? The mask was made using a mold, with the individual features added later. Inlaid glass eyes once gave this mask a more life-like expression.
On View
On view
