Painting and designing on genuine natural papyrus (30x20cm) from Egypt
A quick explanation
Papyrus pictures are drawings, paintings and calligraphy on genuine writing material made from the marsh plant Cyperus papyrus. The tradition stretches from the illustrated Book of the Dead of the 19th Dynasty (c. 1275 BC, Papyrus of Hunefer, British Museum EA 9901) to modern papyrus painting. This product contains unprinted natural papyrus sheets in 30x20cm format, handcrafted in Egypt in small family-run workshops using ancient weaving techniques.
Papyrus pictures at a glance
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Material: Cyperus papyrus, freshwater rush grass grown in the Nile Delta
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Pictorial tradition documented since: c. 1550 BC (New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty)
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Most famous example: Papyrus of Hunefer, British Museum inventory EA 9901, c. 1275 BC
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Ancient source on production: Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia Book XIII, sections 68 to 89 (written around 77 AD)
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Binding agent: exclusively the plant’s own sap, no adhesive, no glue
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Proven durability: over 4,000 years when stored in dry conditions (archaeological finds in the desert climate of Egypt)
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Shop Authority: since 2001, the Römer Shop has supplied over 62,800 customers worldwide, including the Carnuntum Archaeological Park and the Dominican Museum in Rottweil
What exactly are papyrus pictures?
Papyrus pictures are sheets of painted or inscribed plant strips that served as image carriers in ancient Egypt from the New Kingdom onwards (1550 to 1070 BC).
The most famous surviving example is the Papyrus of Hunefer
a> in the British Museum (inv. no. EA 9901, dated to the 19th Dynasty, c. 1275 BC).
Its vignette for Book of the Dead text 125 depicts the Judgement of the Dead with Anubis, Osiris and the scales of the soul.
Equally colourful is the Papyrus of Ani (British Museum EA 10470, c. 1250 BC), which is regarded as the pinnacle of Egyptian book illumination.
A common misconception must be dispelled: papyrus is not paper in the modern sense.
It is not made by papermaking, but by layering.
As the Marburg papyrologist Hans-Albert Rupprecht notes in his A Short Introduction to Papyrology (Darmstadt 1994) , the Egyptian writing material is one of the best-documented ancient materials of all.
Pliny the Elder describes the layering process in *Naturalis Historia*, Book XIII, 74–82: strips of the plant pith are laid crosswise over one another and dried under pressure; the sap that seeps out binds the layers together without any adhesive whatsoever.
Egyptian pictorial papyri of the New Kingdom (1550 to 1070 BC)
In the artists’ colony of Deir el-Medina near Thebes, scribes and draughtsmen worked in specialised workshops from around 1500 BC.
They produced illustrated Books of the Dead for officials and priests.
Red iron oxide pigments were used for chapter titles and divine attributes, whilst black soot was used for the body text.
This two-colour scheme shaped the visual structure of all subsequent papyrus paintings and was even adopted by medieval scriptoria (rubrication).
Papyrus images in Greco-Roman Egypt (332 BC to 641 AD)
Following the conquest by Alexander the Great, Egypt remained the main supplier of papyrus throughout the Mediterranean region.
The Oxyrhynchus Papyri, recovered from Behnesa by Bernard Grenfell and Arthur Hunt from 1896 onwards, comprise literary, administrative and illustrated pieces spanning almost a millennium.
The Artemidorus Papyrus (1st century BC, now in the Museo Egizio in Turin) contains an early map and drawings of animals.
Carbonised papyrus scrolls from the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, buried in 79 AD by the eruption of Vesuvius and recovered from 1752 onwards, attest to the prevalence of illustrated scrolls even in the villas of the upper classes in Italy.
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Dimensions: 30 x 20 cm, smooth-cut edge
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Material: Cyperus papyrus grown in the Nile Delta, 100 per cent plant-based binding
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Production: ancient laying technique, handcrafted in Egyptian family workshops
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Dating of the original: Pictorial papyri attested since the 18th Dynasty (c. 1550 BC)
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Archaeological reference object: Book of the Dead of Hunefer, British Museum London, inventory EA 9901
Which papyrus images were created in which era?
The following matrix assigns the most important image types to their archaeological sources and shows which products from our range most closely correspond to the respective era.
It is based on catalogue entries from the relevant museums (British Museum, London; Museo Egizio, Turin; Chester Beatty Library, Dublin) and our advisory experience gained from over 20 years of supplying schools and museums.
Period matrix: Papyrus images from 1550 BC to 641 AD
| Period |
Time period |
Image type on papyrus |
Example with inventory number |
Our product recommendation |
| New Kingdom |
c. 1550–1070 BC |
Book of the Dead vignettes, gods, scales of the soul |
Papyrus of Hunefer, British Museum EA 9901 (c. 1275 BC) |
Nature papyrus 30x20cm + tempera paints |
| Third Intermediate Period |
c. 1070–664 BC |
Large-format picture sequences, Solar Barque |
Greenfield Papyrus of Nestanebetisheru, British Museum EA 10554 (c. 930 BC) |
Natural-edge papyrus + brush and iron ochre |
| Ptolemaic period |
332–30 BC |
Landscape paintings, maps, demotic documents |
Artemidorus Papyrus, Museo Egizio Turin (c. 100 BC) |
Natural papyrus 30x20cm + iron gall ink |
| Roman Imperial Period |
30 BC–284 AD |
Everyday letters, horoscopes, magical papyri |
Oxyrhynchus papyri, excavated from 1896 onwards by Grenfell and Hunt |
Natural-edge papyrus + reed pen (calamus) |
| Late Antiquity |
284–641 AD |
Early Christian codex fragments, illuminated Gospels |
Chester Beatty Papyrus P45, Dublin (c. 250 AD) |
Ancient papyrus + parchment for comparative projects |
How will teachers use papyrus images in the classroom in 2025 and 2026?
From our work with school classes, museum educators and re-enactment groups in 2025 and 2026, we know that learners immediately recognise that this material is not paper the moment they touch it.
The visible criss-cross grain makes the ancient manufacturing process tangible and creates a lasting ‘aha’ moment.
A brush with liquid paint works better on natural papyrus than a felt-tip pen, as the tip would otherwise get caught in the rough texture.
Particularly popular with pupils in Years 5 to 10 is the combination of 30x20cm sheets, a reed pen (calamus) and iron gall ink, as was standard in Roman provinces such as Germania Inferior and Britannia.
Our specific advice for teachers is: Before the sheet is inscribed or painted, pass it around the class for everyone to feel. It is only by feeling the fibres that the decisive ‘aha’ moment is created. Afterwards, knowledge of ancient writing techniques is consolidated to a depth that no textbook can achieve. Partner institutions such as the Carnuntum Archaeological Park have been using this method successfully in children’s workshops for years.
What exactly are the natural papyrus sheets suitable for?
If you are looking for a visual aid for a lesson on Ancient Egypt in Years 5 to 7, the 30x20cm format is ideal for each pupil and can be used straight away with the enclosed A5 craft template of a Roman-Greek philosopher.
If you are planning a project week on the history of writing in upper secondary school, papyrus forms the middle stage between cuneiform on clay and medieval parchment and can be shown in direct comparison with our parchment sheets.
If you work in re-enactment or museum education (Limes, NIDA, Carnuntum), the sheets provide sturdy writing surfaces for Latin letters written with a calamus and iron gall ink, as was standard in everyday Egyptian-Roman life from the 1st to the 3rd century.
For calligraphers, hobby artists and history enthusiasts, the 30x20cm format offers enough space for decorative documents, wedding scrolls or cards, whilst remaining compact enough to be rolled onto an 8mm wooden rod.
Frequently asked questions about papyrus images and genuine papyrus
What is the difference between papyrus, parchment and paper?
Papyrus is made from the Cyperus papyrus plant (from around 3000 BC, Egypt). Parchment is produced by tanning and scraping animal hides (from around 200 BC, Pergamon). Paper is made from cellulose fibres (from 105 AD, China). All three writing materials are available in our shop and are suitable for direct educational comparison.
How much do papyrus pictures cost compared to canvas or watercolour paper?
A 30x20cm sheet of genuine Egyptian natural papyrus costs from €0.80 per sheet in the Römer Shop (in packs of 50). A comparable sheet of watercolour paper costs between 0.30 and 1.50 euros, whilst a canvas of the same size costs between 3 and 8 euros. Papyrus therefore offers historical added value at predictable costs for class sets.
How can I tell if it is genuine Egyptian papyrus?
Genuine papyrus clearly shows two layers of fibres laid crosswise on both the front and back. The surface is warm beige to light brown, slightly rough and has an irregular texture. Imitations made from banana leaf or rice paper from Asia appear uniformly smooth and have no discernible cross-hatched stripes. Our sheets are sourced directly from Egyptian family-run businesses without any middlemen.
Which ink and paint are best suited for papyrus pictures?
Historically, soot ink (atramentum) is correct for black and iron ochre for red, both water-based. For modern use, iron gall ink, India ink, gouache and watercolours work excellently. According to our customers’ reviews, even gesso and gold leaf adhere to the material. Felt-tip pens and ballpoint pens get caught in the fibre structure and are not recommended.
Can I print on real papyrus using an inkjet printer?
Yes, the sheets offered here with smooth-cut edges are compatible with standard inkjet printers. It is important to use manual feed and a single-sheet tray without a narrow slot. Laser printers are not suitable due to the heat-fusing process.
How long does papyrus last and how should I store it correctly?
Archaeological finds from Egypt demonstrate a lifespan of over 4,000 years under dry conditions. For papyrus pictures at home, the following applies: store in a dark, dry place, laid flat, not in PVC film. Roll larger works around a wooden rod with a diameter of at least 8 mm to avoid creases. Acid-free folders or passe-partouts are ideal.
Can I frame papyrus pictures and hang them on the wall?
Yes, when framed behind UV-protective glass and mounted on acid-free cardboard, Papyrus pictures remain stable for decades. Avoid direct sunlight, as the plant-based pigments fade in UV light. Never attach adhesive tape or thumbtacks directly to the sheet.
What exactly does ‘ancient papyrus-making technique’ mean?
The stems of the papyrus plant are peeled, the white pith cut into thin strips and soaked in water. A first layer is laid parallel to the second, which is laid at right angles to it, and the sheets are dried under pressure. The sap that seeps out binds the layers together without any adhesive, a process documented by Pliny in *Naturalis Historia* XIII, 74–82.
Sources and further reading on papyrus images
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Wikipedia: Papyrus (writing material), overview of the plant, production and writing culture.
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Archaeological database: Papyrus of Hunefer, British Museum EA 9901, illustrated Book of the Dead from the 19th Dynasty.
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Ancient primary source: Pliny the Elder, Natural History Book XIII (original Latin text at LacusCurtius), the earliest surviving technical description of papyrus production.
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Rupprecht, Hans-Albert: A Short Introduction to Papyrology. Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt 1994. Standard work on papyrology in the German-speaking world. Record in the DAI Library Zenon.
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Parkinson, Richard / Quirke, Stephen: Papyrus. British Museum Press, London 1995. First-hand insights into the material properties and iconography of ancient papyri.
Updated on: 18 April 2026
