CAIRO — Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities unveiled a newly restored 2nd‑century Fayum portrait, the “Tondo of the Two Brothers,” at a press conference on Sunday. The circular painting, one of the most vivid surviving examples of Roman‑era Egyptian portraiture, has been carefully conserved through a three‑week partnership between specialists from Rome and conservators at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.
International cooperation preserves heritage
Minister Sherif Fathy highlighted the significance of the project, stating, “The restoration of the Tondo of the Two Brothers is an important example of what can be achieved through international cooperation in the preservation and study of cultural heritage.” He added that Egypt and Italy share deep historical and cultural ties, and the joint effort ensures the artwork will be protected for future generations.
The portrait, painted on a thin wooden panel using a technique that mixes pigments with molten wax, is unusual for its circular shape and for depicting two individuals rather than a single subject. Restorers succeeded in recovering the features of the brother on the right, despite damage to the wooden support caused by termites and a fragile painted surface.
Exhibition in Rome
Egypt will lend a major portion of its Fayum collection to a temporary exhibition in Rome, marking the first time these ancient portraits will travel abroad. The exhibition, organized by MondoMostre, will run from November 2026 through May 2027 and will feature more than 110 objects, including painted panels, funerary shrouds, masks, marble portraits, plaster casts, and ancient jewelry.
“This project brings together Egyptian and Italian expertise to preserve an exceptional work of art for future generations,” said Aly Abdel Halim, director general of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. Tomaso Radaelli, chairman of MondoMostre, emphasized the exhibition’s role in showcasing the rich cultural exchange between the two nations.
The Fayum portraits, originally placed over the faces of the deceased within mummy wrappings, blend Egyptian funerary traditions with Greco‑Roman artistic influences. Their preservation offers valuable insight into the daily lives, attire, and artistic practices of people living in Roman‑era Egypt.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
