The term encaustic came from the Greek word enkaustikos, which means "burning in." This painting technique mixes heated wax with pigment, resulting in luminous works. It traces its roots to ancient Greeks who used it to decorate and waterproof their ships.
The best-known and oldest surviving encaustic paintings are the Fayum mummy portraits. They are lifelike images placed over mummified individuals to immortalize their likenesses. Created between the 1st and 3rd century AD, the Fayum mummy portraits resulted from the fusion between Egyptian burial traditions and Greco-Roman artistry.
Ancient Egyptians mummified their deceased, particularly those belonging to the upper class. They decorated their coffins and made mummy masks to cover their heads. They faithfully followed this tradition even after the Greeks settled in their country. The Greeks continued to follow their own custom of cremation. However, Egyptians quickly adapted their mummy masks to the Greco-Roman practices of mummy masks after the Romans arrived.
The Fayum mummy portraits captured a vivid record of their subjects, including realistic facial features, clothing, and even their professions. The durable properties of encaustic painting, coupled with Egypt's dry climate, preserved the quality of the artwork.
Although encaustic painting is not as widely used as other media, it has left an indelible mark on art history. From Christ Pantocrator (6th century AD), the oldest surviving Christian icon, to Jasper Johns's Flag (1955), an important piece of American contemporary art, encaustic art bridges the ancient and modern worlds.
