Description in Icons, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, 2004, cat. no. 167:
Saint John the Baptist "Angel of the Desert"
Early 18th century, Yaroslavl
NMI 158

Wood: Linden (Tilia sp.), egg tempera
on canvas. Panel made of single board
with two splines inlaid from opposite
sides (both lost); back grounded and
painted brown.

PROVENANCE: Olof Aschberg;
Gift of O.Aschberg 1933
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Kjellin 1933, no 158;
Kjellin 1956, pp 255, 269
CONSERVATION: Restored prior to entering
NM: retouches in centre of lower part of
picture, borders repainted, lower left corner
damaged and replaced by gesso. Crack
right through the left edge of the panel;
damage and paint losses along the outer
edges, signs of blistering; gold on borders
abraded; uneven yellowed varnish; panel
warped.
This icon combines the motif of
St JohntheBaptist, Angel of theDesert,
with his decollation and the discovery
of his head. The words of the scroll are
taken from Joh. I:29.
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