Painting On Wood, Cretan School, 18th Century - Saint John The Baptist

This cusp-shaped panel painting depicts Saint John the Baptist, one of the most important figures in Christian tradition. The saint is immediately recognizable by his classic iconographic attributes: The leather robe: he wears a dark tunic made of fleece or animal skin (traditionally camel), a reference to his ascetic life in the desert. The processional cross: he holds a long staff ending in a processional cross of reeds. The scroll: a ribbon or scroll is wrapped around the cross, usually bearing the famous Latin phrase "Ecce Agnus Dei" ("Behold the Lamb of God"). The pointing gesture: with his right hand he makes the typical pointing gesture, a theological reference to his role as the "Forerunner" who shows and announces the arrival of Jesus Christ.

This panel is probably from the 18th century, and is of the Dalmatian or Cretan school.

H 55 cm - W 24.5 cm - D 4 cm