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Art is a very important part of civilized society and shows that a culture is advancing. Throughout the ages art has changed, from the subjects to the medium. There are also differences in paintings caused by the area form which they originated from. Fayum portraits were painted on wooden panels and were occasionally placed over the heads of mummified remains. Byzantine art depicts religious figures in addition to emperors and select people. Some of the aspects of both of these styles of art are similar. For instance, the purposes of these portraits were to portray images of their specific culture; to differentiate their beliefs from other culture's beliefs. However, it is impossible for there not be differences between these styles of art. Fayum art only contained only a single body or face, only contained one subject in the painting. Byzantine portraitures depict several people sometimes entire congregations in original poses, holding things, and standing in front of magnificent backgrounds. The mummy portraits only show heads and upper bodies. Byzantine art shows entire bodies in relation to others and show facial expressions. This could represent how their empire was faring at the time the art was made. Just with the use of these two different styles of art so much could be discovered about two major cultures. The different things that can be discovered from these separate types of portraiture are great. Byzantine portraiture is a reflection of religious beliefs of the time period and empire. The portraits of mummies are historical records of times past; almost exactly what people looked like. A sign of intelligent developing culture is art. Despite all of the differences, every single piece of art have something in common: The human element.    

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