Fayoum Mummy Portraits Set for International Exhibition Post-restoration

WHO:

ABC News - Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s minister of tourism and antiquities, stated the importance of international cooperation in cultural heritage preservation.

ABC News - Aly Abdel Halim, director general of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, discussed the conservation challenges faced during the restoration.

WHAT:

ABC News - Egypt unveiled a restored version of the "Tondo of the Two Brothers," a 2nd-century painting from the Fayoum portraits.

ABC News - The restoration of the painting was completed by specialists from Rome and conservators from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir over three weeks.

ABC News - The Fayoum mummy portraits will be featured in a temporary exhibition in Rome from November to May 2027, including more than 110 objects.

WHERE:

ABC News - The restoration took place at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, Cairo.

ABC News - The exhibition will be held in Rome.

WHEN:

ABC News - The exhibition in Rome is scheduled to run from November 2026 to May 2027.

WHY:

ABC News - The project aims to preserve an exceptional work of art for future generations and highlights the deep historical and cultural ties between Egypt and Italy.

HOW:

ABC News - The painting was restored using a technique that involves mixing pigments with molten wax, and restorers were able to recover the features of the brother on the right.

ABC News - The conservation required careful intervention due to the fragility of both the wooden support, which was damaged by termites, and the painted surface.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 05:13 UTC)

Egypt has unveiled a beautifully restored version of the "Tondo of the Two Brothers," a remarkable 2nd-century painting from the Fayoum portraits, thanks to the efforts of specialists from Rome and conservators at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s minister of tourism and antiquities, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in preserving cultural heritage, while Aly Abdel Halim, director general of the museum, highlighted the challenges faced during the restoration process. This stunning painting will be part of a temporary exhibition in Rome from November 2026 to May 2027, showcasing over 110 objects from the Fayoum mummy portraits and celebrating the historical ties between Egypt and Italy.