Coptic painting (6th-8th centuries)

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.

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
Cupola decoration
6th century
Mural painting
Coptic Museum, Cairo

1050*985
True Color
248 Kb



Christ Enthroned
6th century
Mural painting
Coptic Museum, Cairo

837*1100
True Color
230 Kb



Cupola decoration (detail)
6th century
Mural painting
Coptic Museum, Cairo

1400*1055
True Color
254 Kb



Virgin and Child between Apostles
6th century
Mural painting
Coptic Museum, Cairo

921*1200
True Color
242 Kb



Christ and Abbot Mena
8th century
Paint on sycamore fig wood, 57 x 57 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

1348*1400
True Color
239 Kb



Christ and Abbot Mena
8th century
Paint on sycamore fig wood, 57 x 57 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

1030*1200
True Color
239 Kb




Summary of Coptic Art
Painting | Sculpture | Textiles