Fayoum Double Portrait (Photoshop Reconstruction)

In restorations like these, there is usually next to no information as to who the people are anywhere in recorded history, apart from the image itself. I therefore have to rely on clues left by the artist's brush to tell me the details that make these two so individual, and then to use my experience in proportion and portrait art to organize the existing features into more lifelike, and less caricature-like, symmetry.

*No doubt there are those that note the Swastika on the shoulder of the red-caped man. Before the meaning of that symbol was changed forever by the Nazi Party during the 1930s and 40s, in ancient antiquity, particularly ancient India and Asia, that symbol was variously viewed as a symbol of good luck or of eternity. The earliest appearance of this symbol in archaeological history dates back at least 4000 years B.C.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Fayum
• portraits
• 2nd
• century
• Egypt
• Greek
• ancient
• mummy
• face
• fayoum
• faiyum
• reconstruction
• restoration
• historical
• pictures
• repair
• retouching
• old
• restore
• photo
• photoshop
• cs2
• History
• couple
• pair
• friends
• men
• male
• Adobe Photoshop
• Culture
• Two

[ahmedzs1]

u changed them alot; the last change u applied made them look like saudi arabians; suggest u undo the last change.

[JudeMaris]

@ahmedzs1 Saudi Arabia is only a short boat ride across the Red Sea from Egypt. If you go far enough North you don't even need a boat. Since Greece is even further away and yet had colonies in Egypt, I don't think it really matters much who they are supposed to "look like". They could be any denomination.

[1991MRjesse]

@spacecatmeetsmars999 smoking a hookah isn't going to lengthen his life either.

[theriverQueen01]

@spacecatmeetsmars999

He didn't say any thing has to do with anger,he just said his opinion and his suggestion. so don't exaggerate in your reaction.

[voceval1]

The most amazing thing about this work is that you brought them into this century, like time travelers, with such realistic clarity that they jump right out of the screen. Just left blew me away, wondering who were they, how did they live, etc.? Two well groomed young men who are now staring back at us from some unknown time. Therefore, making me a time traveler too. Thanks again for the journey!

[safeharbor7]

Very impressive Mel, much enjoyed. A big thumbs up... Larry

[geoffreyprince]

To say the name of a departed one is to help them live again in the next life. I truly believe you have accomplished this and more with these wonderful portraits. As always, amazingly beautiful work.

[spacecatmeetsmars999]

@ahmedzs1.......May I suggest you take it a little easy. Anger like yours will shorten your life. Smoke a hookah and relax. Judemaris has done nothing offensive. Lighten up.

[EllenB1977]

Great work, and the music was pretty!