The artwork titled “John the Baptist,” crafted by the artist collective known as “Orthodox Icons,” dates from approximately 1375 to 1400. It belongs to the Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance period, which spanned from circa 1261 to 1453. The genre of the artwork is an icon, and it forms part of a series depicting saints. Currently, this piece is housed in Saint Catherine’s Monastery, located at Mount Sinai, Egypt.
The artwork portrays John the Baptist with the traditional iconographic elements typical of Byzantine iconography. The use of a golden background is indicative of the divine light and sacred nature attributed to the figure. John the Baptist is depicted with a solemn expression, his head slightly tilted, engaging in a gesture of blessing or communication. He is garbed in simple robes, emphasizing his ascetic lifestyle. The edges of the artwork exhibit signs of age and wear, characteristic of the centuries-old icon. The meticulous detailing in the rendering of his facial features and the fluidity of his garments highlight the skill and devotional intent inherent in this piece.
