John the Baptist - Angel of the Desert 1600

"John the Baptist - Angel of the Desert" is a 1600 Orthodox icon depicting John the Baptist standing on a rocky outcrop with his severed head, depicted in a bowl, at his feet. This powerful image, attributed to the Orthodox Icons collective, embodies a central figure in Christian tradition. The icon's vibrant colors and stylized figures are characteristic of the Byzantine style, highlighting the spiritual significance of the scene. The icon's presence in the Pushkin Museum, Moscow, speaks to its importance within the Russian Orthodox tradition.