Icon - John the Baptist - Wood

For sale is a religious artwork depicting a severed bearded head resting on a golden platter, set against a dark background with a soft beam of light shining from the upper left. A circular halo frames the face, which has closed eyes and peaceful, serene features.

This piece is an Eastern Orthodox icon titled “Усекновение главы Иоанна Предтечи” (The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist). The Old Church Slavonic inscription at the top explicitly verifies the subject as the head of Saint John the Forerunner (John the Baptist).


Stylistically, this specific depiction, focusing strictly on the isolated head placed on a liturgical or banquet charger, is a specialized iconographic type that gained significant popularity in the Russian Empire during the 19th century.

Unlike earlier, highly stylized Byzantine icons, this piece demonstrates a strong Western academic style of painting, featuring realistic facial anatomy, gentle chiaroscuro shading, and soft textures.

Condition is consistent with antique and devotional use.