Antique Icon of John the Baptist
Antique icon of John the Baptist, or John the Forerunner, which was painted in Yaroslavl in the second
half of the 16th century (c. 1560-1570). Such icons became widespread in Russia
during the reign of Ivan IV the Terrible. This particular image is distinguished
by the depiction of the so-called “Blooming Cross” in the left hand of John the
Baptist. The “Blooming Cross” symbolizes Christ whose death on the Cross made it
the source of life and immortality.