In the context of Roman era art, which of the following is considered a particularly good and characteristic example of Roman portrait painting?

Introduction / Context:
Roman art included not only sculpture and architecture but also distinctive forms of painting. When art history courses discuss Roman portrait painting, they often highlight a particular group of works that have survived in remarkable condition. These works combine realistic portrait faces with funerary customs in a provincial setting. This question asks you to identify that group as a good example of Roman portrait painting.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on portrait painting in the Roman era.
• Several possibilities are listed, including Hellenistic art, Faiyum portraits and sculpture of Julius Caesar.
• We assume basic understanding that portrait painting is different from sculpture or later medieval mural work.

Concept / Approach:
The Faiyum mummy portraits, found in Roman period Egypt, are painted panels attached to mummies. They show highly individualised faces with realistic shading and gaze, and are widely cited as outstanding examples of Roman portrait painting on wood. Hellenistic painting is related but belongs more to the Greek period, while marble busts of Julius Caesar are sculpture, not painting. Medieval frescoes come from a later period and different cultural context, so they cannot serve as the best example of Roman portrait painting.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question asks specifically about portrait painting, not sculpture. Step 2: Recall that the Faiyum portraits are painted images of individuals on wooden panels attached to mummies in Roman Egypt. Step 3: Recognise that these portraits are famous for their realism and are classed as Roman period works despite being found in Egypt. Step 4: Eliminate options that refer to sculpture, medieval art or general Greek styles rather than to this particular Roman painting tradition. Step 5: Choose option B, which names the Faiyum mummy portraits directly.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you look at art history summaries, the phrase Roman portrait painting almost always brings up the Faiyum portraits as key examples. They are often illustrated in textbooks and described as some of the most vivid images of individuals from the ancient world. This repeated association confirms that option B is the right choice when the question asks for a good example of Roman portrait painting.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, general Hellenistic painting, refers to Greek art that influenced Rome but is not specifically Roman portrait painting. Option C is incorrect because early Hellenistic painting and Faiyum portraits are not equally typical of the Roman period in the same way. Option D mentions busts of Julius Caesar, which are three dimensional sculptures rather than painted portraits. Option E refers to medieval church frescoes, which belong to a much later Christian context, not to Roman art.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners see the name Julius Caesar and assume that anything connected with him must be the best Roman example, forgetting the difference between sculpture and painting. Others may choose Hellenistic art because it sounds classical without considering the Roman period focus. To avoid errors, remember the strong link between the phrase Roman portrait painting and the concrete example of the Faiyum mummy portraits.

Final Answer:
A particularly good and characteristic example of Roman portrait painting is provided by the Faiyum mummy portraits from Roman Egypt.