Icon - John the Baptist - Wood

Icon of Saint John the Baptist (Orthodox)
Slavic School, 19th century (possibly Russia or the Balkans)

Description:

Magnificent religious icon depicting Saint John the Baptist, one of Christianity's most venerated figures, forerunner of Christ and symbol of asceticism and prophecy.

The work shows the saint in bust, with his characteristic ascetic expression and deep spirituality. In his hand he holds a chalice in whose interior appears the symbol of the Lamb of God, a clear theological reference to his proclamation: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
In the other hand he carries a scroll with inscriptions in ecclesiastical Slavonic, reinforcing his role as prophet and herald of the Messiah.

The gold background and the halo, today with patina and natural wear, contribute a strong devotional charge and historical authenticity.

Historical and artistic context:

This icon belongs to the tradition of Eastern Orthodox painting, where images are not merely decorative but objects of worship and spiritual contemplation.

The iconography of Saint John the Baptist with the chalice and the Lamb is characteristic of Eastern Orthodox art in Europe, especially in Russian and Balkan workshops of the 19th century, a period in which Byzantine canon was faithfully maintained.

The execution suggests a workshop piece with formal training in classical iconography, preserving:

frontally austere composition,
symbolic use of gold,
linear and spiritual treatment of the face.

Technical characteristics:

Title: Saint John the Baptist
Type: Orthodox religious icon
Origin: Slavic School (Russia / Balkans)
Dating: 19th – early 20th century

Technique: Tempera on wood panel
Support: Solid wood with back braces
Inscription language: Ecclesiastical Slavonic
Conservation status:
Visible surface wear in the pictorial layer
Losses of polychromy at the upper zone and halo
Craquelure in keeping with age
Original patina intact

Dimensions:
Approximately 490 mm x 25 mm x 380 mm

Value and uniqueness:
This is an authentic piece over a century old, preserving its original devotional character and a patina that only time can confer.

Ideal for:
-sacred art collectors,
-high-end interior design,
-fans of Orthodox iconography,
-investment in antiques with historical value.

Remarks:
This icon not only holds artistic value but also a spiritual and symbolic dimension, being a representative piece of Eastern Christian tradition.

It has not undergone aggressive restorations, preserving its authenticity.