In Egypt, in the early years of Christianity numerous pagan monuments were painted over with Christian scenes or, in the case of ancient temples converted to churches or chapels, with rows of venerated hermits, monks and founders of monasteries.
Some of the best-preserved paintings from the 6th to 8th centuries come from the memorial chapels of the monasteries of Bawit and Saqqara (now in the Coptic Museum, Cairo), corresponding to their periods of greatest expansion. The focus of the painted programme is the niche, enclosing Christ or the Virgin and Child.
The so-called Egyptian mummy portraits in encaustic and tempera form the basis for icon painting in Egypt. Two of the best-preserved icons come from Bawit.
Summary of Coptic Art |
Painting | Sculpture | Textiles |