The History of Encaustic Painting from Fayum Funeral Portraits to Today

The History of Encaustic Painting stretches from the ancient Fayum funeral portraits of Egypt to the modern-day.

In this post, we will discuss the origins of encaustic painting, one of the world’s oldest known painting techniques. This versatile medium is used to create durable works of art that can survived for centuries.

The Origins of Encaustic Painting – An Ancient Medium

The word encaustic comes from the Greek enkaustikos which means “to burn in”. This refers to the process of fusing molten pigmented wax with heat. The process of burning-in is necessary to be classified as encaustic. 

Pausias, a Greek painter of the first half of the 4th century, is credited with inventing the encaustic painting method [source].

Painted Greek Ships

The ancient Greeks used wax and resin to waterproof and decorate their ships. “Homer, writing in 800 B.C., makes note of painted warships sailing into Troy” (The Art of Encaustic Painting. Joanne Mattera pg. 15).

Beeswax is impervious to moisture. Therefore, wax is a durable material excellent for sealing and preserving. In his book Naturalis Historia, Roman Historian Pliny the Elder wrote of encaustic painting in the 1st century A.D.. “Painting of this nature, applied to vessels, will never spoil from the action of the sun, winds, or salt water” [source].

The Fayum Portraits

The oldest surviving encaustic panel paintings are the Romano-Egyptian Fayum mummy portraits from Egypt around 200–400 AD. The Fayum Portraits of ancient Egypt are encaustic portraits on wooden boards. Painted by Greeks who settled in Egypt using the encaustic technique as they adopted the Egyptian custom of mummification.

Today, you can view Fayum Portraits at all important archaeological museums of the world. Approximately 900 mummy portraits are known at present. The majority were unearthed in the Necropoleis of Fayum (Faiyum), a region of ancient Egypt. The mummy portraits have immense historical importance. The longevity of these works speaks to the durability of this medium.

“The Faiyum burial portraits in wax on wood panels…have survived brilliantly for more than fifteen centuries and attest to the permanence of the wax medium. Of course, it must be remembered that these works were entombed in an ideal environment of consistent temperature and humidity, which was absent of light.”   (The Artist’s Handbook of Materials and Techniques. Fifth Edition. Ralph Mayer p. 359)

The following images are from my visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

Photo of a Mummy with an Inserted Panel Portrait of a Youth from 1st Century A.D.
This mummy is intact with the panel inserted over the face.

After the fall of the Roman empire, encaustic became a lost art, rediscovered by future artists.

Modern Resurgence

Electricity and modern tools made encaustic painting more accessible in the 20th century. Mexican muralist Diego Rivera embraced the medium in the 1920s, using encaustic and gold leaf in his first government-commissioned mural, Creation (1922-23).

In the late 1930s, Karl Zerbe, a chemist and artist, began experimenting with wax and pigment. Over two years, he refined encaustic techniques, creating a modern formula for the medium. As head of the Department of Painting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Zerbe taught advanced seminars on encaustic. His seminars sparked renewed interest in the process. [source]

Around the same time, modernist Arthur Dove explored encaustic . He creating works like A Reasonable Facsimile (1942), which showcased the medium’s unique textures and depth. In the 1950s, Jasper Johns brought encaustic into the spotlight with his iconic flag paintings, solidifying its place in contemporary art.

More recently, in 1988, Richard Frumess revolutionized encaustic by founding R&F Handmade Paints, making high-quality encaustic paints widely available. Through workshops and education, R&F helped foster a growing community of encaustic artists. Later, Joanne Mattera’s 2001 book, The Art of Encaustic Painting, became a key resource for artists.

Without a doubt, the Internet continues to play a major role in encaustic’s resurgence. I like to think that this blog, which began in 2011, has contributed, connecting artists and spreading knowledge worldwide.

The Enduring Appeal of Encaustic Painting

In conclusion, Encaustic painting has proven to be a timeless medium, with a rich history that spans thousands of years. From its origins in ancient Greece and Egypt to its revival in the 20th century, encaustic continues to captivate. The process of using hot wax and pigment creates a depth and texture making it a favourite for contemporary artists.

Today, encaustic painting is experiencing a resurgence, with new tools and techniques making it more accessible than ever. Artists continue to experiment with this ancient art form, pushing boundaries and creating innovative works.