St. John the Forerunner
Type:
Icon
Period:
From
the beginning of the
19 century
to
the end of the
19 century
Dimmensions (cm):
82
/ 64
/ 2
Location
Country: Bulgaria
Province: Blagoevgrad
Town: Bansko
Museum: Museum complex
Source
Country: Bulgaria
Province: Blagoevgrad
Town: Blagoevgrad
Church: The Virgin
Description
A traditional iconographic treatment of this theme. Saint John the Forerunner is portrayed with wings, blessing with his right hand, and in his left hand he is holding a bowl with his cut-off head.
Iconographical technique: Combined
The basic tone is distemper and the lighting with an oil vehicle. The varnish cover in the icon's upper part is removed along with a part of the painting; downwards it is slightly soiled.
Base material: Wood
The base is of two softwood panels (walnut). It is bent in the middle, with the painting on the outer side, as the result of the falling out of the two wedge-shaped beams. Because of the warping of the base, it is not possible to insert new beams. The ground coat is of plaster, well-preserved, with slight damages from drops of wax.
State, restoration traces and comments
Traces from a previous restoration work: a rough cleansing - removed had been velaturas on the wings. The outer frame had been overpainted. The painting layer is badly rubbed through as a result of a previous intervention.
