Papyrus Fragment

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval collection, this delicate *Papyrus Fragment* from 7th-century Coptic Egypt measures just 1 11/16 x 2 9/16 inches, a tiny window into a vibrant Christian culture on the cusp of profound change. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 2, it exemplifies the use of papyrus—ancient Egypt's lightweight, reed-based writing surface—as a medium for ink-scripted documents. Though the artist remains unknown, the fragment's survival highlights the ingenuity of Coptic scribes, who adapted Greco-Roman traditions to express their faith and administration amid ...