An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Funerary Portrait of a Young Girlc. 25–37 CE
Transforming the spirit—not beautifying the mortal body—may have been the purpose of adding golden lips and jewelry to this painting. Egyptian-style burial customs and arts persisted throughout Greek, Roman, and Byzantine rule over Egypt (305 BCE–641 CE). The woman depicted in this panel lived between cultures. Her or her family’s choice of mummification reflected historical Egyptian practices of creating a physical “duplicate” for the deceased’s soul to rest in, and their decision to color her lips gold here may symbolize how death transformed her into an akh (effective spirit). In contrast, the choice of her clothing and hairstyle showed her embrace of contemporary ideals of Hellenic (Greco-Roman) Egyptian identity.
This painting can be dated based on the hairstyle popular at the end of the reign of Emperor Tiberius (reigned 14–37 CE).
encaustic on wood
Overall: 39.4 x 17.4 cm (15 1/2 x 6 7/8 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In the soft glow of twilight, a painting quietly reveals the story of a woman suspended between two worlds. Her golden lips shimmer like sunlight on a still lake, casting a warm aura that transcends time. These gilded features, coupled with delicate jewelry, suggest that the purpose of adornment is not merely to enhance beauty, but to transform the very essence of the soul.
As we delve deeper into her story, we find ourselves in an Egypt shaped by the ebb and flow of empires—where Egyptian traditions lingered like a fragrant whisper amidst the louder chorus of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine influences from 305 BCE to 641 CE. This woman, framed in the delicate strokes of the artist's brush, existed in a moment where cultures entwined, creating a tapestry rich in diversity.
Her choice of mummification mirrors the age-old Egyptian belief that a physical body—frozen in time—would serve as a resting place for the soul, a sanctuary for its journey into the afterlife. The hints of gold gracing her lips symbolize a transformation into the akh—an effective spirit, glowing with vitality even in death. It is an acknowledgment that her essence transcends the physicality of her existence.
Yet, woven into her appearance is a reflection of contemporary life. Her clothing flows like the Mediterranean breeze, and her hairstyle glints with the modern ideals of Hellenic identity, showcasing her embrace of the world around her. She is a bridge between the sacred and the new, a celebration of identity and belonging in a shifting landscape.
As we stand before this piece, we realize that beneath the golden layers and echoes of tradition, the portrait tells a story far more profound than that of a single life. It is a narrative of resilience, adaptation, and reverence—a peaceful reminder that in the dance of cultures, we are all part of a greater human story.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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