Large hand-painted Orthodox icon – Saint John the Baptist (Angel of the Desert) ​Artist / Maker: Unknown artist / Anonymous ​Dimensions: 54 × 41 cm ​Subject Matter: Saint John the Baptist is depicted winged as the "Angel of the Desert," holding the symbol of martyrdom and a scroll with a Greek inscription. In the upper right corner, Christ is depicted blessing; in the lower left, the axe at the root of the tree with a bird; and in the lower right, the decapitated holy head of the Saint within a charger. ​Style & Materials: Byzantine style, painted with egg tempera and a gold background on a plywood panel, applied without varnish. ​Condition: Very good condition, with vibrant colors and meticulous attention to detail in the rendering of the drapery, wings, and landscape.