Icon - John the Forerunner - Wood

Orthodox icon of Saint John the Baptist (St. John the Forerunner, Ioánn Predtécha).

Identification

In the upper right inscription it reads, in Ecclesiastical Slavonic: ІОАН ПРЕДТЕЧА
(“John the Forerunner”).

The ascetic figure, with long hair and austere appearance, is characteristic of Saint John.

The golden halo indicates his holiness.

Iconography

Right hand over the breast: a gesture of calling to repentance and bearing witness.

Scroll in the left hand: contains his preaching.

Simple vestments, in green and dark tones, underscore his life of penitence in the desert.

The tilt of the head and the grave expression reinforce the prophetic character.

Text of the scroll (meaning)

The text corresponds to Saint John’s usual proclamation:

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near”
(Mt 3:2)

Dating and style

Russian icon, probably from the 18th–19th centuries.

Tempera on panel, aged gilded background, with natural signs of wear over time.

Integrated painted frame, typical of traditional Russian iconography.

A certificate of authenticity is issued, backed by the Ministry of Culture of Estonia.