Portrait of an Old Man

The most complete portrait. It is preserved in excellent condition thanks to the encaustic technique used. The artist has mastered chiaroscuro, moulding the face – building thicker layers on the nose, cheeks, chin and eye contours, thus creating the illusion of depth. The wide brush strokes combined with the blue reflection of the cloak on the man’s cheek anticipates the art of the coming millennia. The delicate palette and natural tones used communicate a degree of verisimilitude and physiognomic life-like quality.

This style corresponds to both the Ancient Egyptian view about the need to preserve an individual’s image after death – through a double - Kha, and the Ancient Roman interest in the individual.

By capturing particular physiognomic features, such as deep-set eyes, forehead, wrinkled, sharp, straight nose, the artist not only seeks to make it as good a likeness as possible, but also to make it lifelike. Hence, the relaxed tilt to the head, the movement of watchful eyes, a clearly defined gaze, and a bitter smile playing on the man’s lips. The artist was able to convey the man's farewell glance - as he leaves our world. A similar psychological complexity - that unites people from diverse eras - is particularly comprehensible to the viewer.