Legend of St. John with life scenes

Description

On the subject:

St. John the Baptistis a central figure of Christianity, venerated in both the Orthodox and Western churches. A special depiction of his life can be found in a Russian icon of John the Baptist with his life scenes from the renowned Palech school of painting, which is dated to the years 1860-1880.

John the Baptist

with life scenes:

This icon shows the most important stages of his life in 12 detailed pictures. At the center of the icon is St. John with wings, with the Father of God hovering above him, symbolizing John’s divine destiny.

The first picture shows St. John’s father, Zacharias, who served as high priest.
The second picture shows his mother, Elisabeth, who miraculously became pregnant despite her advanced age.
The third picture depicts the birth of St. John, an event of great significance.
The fourth picture depicts Elizabeth’s flight with the newborn John to protect him from persecution by King Herod.
The fifth picture shows John in the desert, where he lived among wild animals and prepared himself for his prophetic mission.
The sixth scene shows the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, a key moment in John’s life.
The seventh picture depicts the baptism of St. John’s companions, which further emphasizes his role as a spiritual leader.
The eighth scene shows St. John’s confrontation with Herod, which ultimately led to his capture.
The ninth picture depicts the cruel beheading of St. John, a highly symbolic moment of his martyrdom.
In the tenth picture, the Entombment follows, a quiet moment after the horror of the execution.
The eleventh picture shows the discovery of his head, a legend that further strengthened his veneration.
Finally, the twelfth scene depicts the ecclesiastical exaltation of St. John, a sign of his lasting significance for the faithful.
This icon is a unique testimony to Russian icon art and offers a profound, symbol-rich reflection on the life of St. John.

The icon is in excellent original condition

A collector’s item!