39 - AN EGYPTIAN MUMMY PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG MAN, ROMAN PERIOD, 2ND-4TH CENTURY AD

AN EGYPTIAN MUMMY PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG MAN, ROMAN PERIOD, 2ND-4TH CENTURY AD Published: Klaus Parlasca and Hans G. Frenz, Repertorio d'Arte dell'Egitto Greco-Romano, Serie B, Vol. IV: Ritratti di mummie, Rome, 2003, pl. 188, no. 881, fig. 4, describing the piece as follows: “Formerly Vienna, Collection of Dr. R. Friedinger-Pranter (1961); 22.9 × 8 cm. (…) Fragment of a portrait of a boy shown frontally, with short, wavy hair. He wears a white chiton with a dark clavus. Probably early 4th century AD.” Expert’s note: The present fragment is distinguished by its important early provenance from the collection of Theodor Graf, one of the pivotal figures in the rediscovery of Romano-Egyptian mummy portraits, as well as its publication in the standard corpus by Parlasca and Frenz. Particularly notable are its unrestored state, tempera technique, and strikingly direct gaze. Although K. Parlasca in his Ritratti di mummie series consistently placed the er-Rubayat portraits very late in his chronological scheme – mid to late 4th century AD – based on the apparent “crudity” of style, more recent scholarship has ascribed a significantly earlier placement to the 2nd century AD. As S. Walker and M. Bierbrier inform (p. 86 in Ancient Faces: Mummy Portraits from Roman Egypt), “careful observation of hairstyles, jewelry and clothing worn by the subjects of the portraits reveals that they are approximately contemporary with the grander encaustic panels from Hawara.” The apparent “crudity” of the portraits derives from the material employed – tempera rather than encaustic on wood. Finely painted in tempera on wood, preserving the left half of the frontal portrait of a young man and part of his shoulder. His large almond-shaped eye is finely outlined beneath a dark arched brow, the individual lashes carefully picked out, while the short wavy black hair leaves the ear exposed. The warm reddish complexion is subtly modeled, with delicate dark contours accentuating the nose, cheek, and gently smiling lips. He wears a white chiton with a dark clavus. Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Fragmentary as preserved, with the original lower edge intact. Expected wear and scattered flaking and losses to the pigments. Unrestored. Austrian Export License: An export pre-approval certificate has already been issued by the Federal Monuments Authority of Austria (Bundesdenkmalamt). Provenance: - Said to be from er-Rubayat. - The private collection of Theodor Graf (1840-1903), Vienna, acquired from the above, by repute, and thence by descent. - A private collection in Vienna, acquired from the above between 1904 and 1915. - The private collection of Dr. Robert Friedinger-Pranter (1894-1967), Vienna, acquired in 1962 from an Austrian private collection, and thence by descent within the family. Dimensions: 22.9 x 8 cm (excl. frame), 44 x 34 cm (incl. frame) Mounted on red velvet and framed behind glass. (2) Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 6 December 2012, lot 56 Mid-Estimate: USD 125,000 or approx. EUR 158,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An Egyptian tempera mummy portrait of a man, Roman Period, circa late 3rd century AD Expert remark: Compare the closely related male subject, painted wood medium, narrow panel format, turned head, white garments, and expressive treatment of the face. Note the larger size (38.7 x 21.9 cm) and restored condition. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 9 June 2011, lot 66 Price: USD 43,750 or approx. EUR 56,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An Egyptian painted wood mummy portrait of a woman, Roman Period, circa 100-140 AD Expert remark: Compare the closely related tempera technique, painted wood medium, narrow panel format, large expressive eyes, and naturalistic modeling of the facial features. Note the similar size (25.4 cm high) and female subject. Due to length restriction on Drouot this entry is shortened. For full description please visit www.zacke.at.