Icon - Beheading of the Holy Forerunner (Decapitation of...

Russian Orthodox icon from the 19th century depicting the beheading of Saint John the Baptist, known in Eastern tradition as the Beheading of the Forerunner (Усекновение главы Иоанна Предтечи). Executed in egg tempera on a wooden panel, following the traditional techniques of Russian icon painting. The composition presents different episodes of the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist. In the center the saint is shown kneeling while the executioner raises his sword to carry out the sentence. On the left the Baptist is depicted during his imprisonment and on the right, the delivery of his head to Salome, shown before a palace-like architecture. At the top there is a celestial representation of God the Father, surrounded by a golden halo and clouds, blessing the scene. The painting features a detailed composition, with garments decorated with golden motifs, halos and architectural elements characteristic of Russian religious iconography. It preserves original inscriptions in ecclesiastical Slavonic, including the title of the scene at the top. The reverse presents a mortice crosspiece (a fixed wooden crossbar) typical of the traditional construction of Russian icons. Origin: Russia Dating: 19th century Technique: Egg tempera on wooden panel Dimensions: 18 × 15 × 3 cm Weight: 370 g

Estimate:£753.83

View all items fromCatawikiorFurniture, Design & Mirrors