Veneto-Cretan Icon of Saint John the Evangelist (Theologian), Late 15th Century.

Details

Description

This is a single-panel wooden icon portraying Saint John the Evangelist (Saint John the Theologian) in a half-length composition, viewed … Read more This is a single-panel wooden icon portraying Saint John the Evangelist (Saint John the Theologian) in a half-length composition, viewed in three-quarter profile. The saint appears as an elderly figure with a white beard and hair, contemplatively gazing at an open book (representing his Gospel) on a lectern. He wears a red outer mantle symbolizing divine love or martyrdom, over a green tunic denoting hope or eternal life. The background, now mostly obscured, was likely originally gilded or a deep blue-green, adhering to post-Byzantine conventions. The icon exemplifies the meditative Evangelist motif prevalent in Orthodox Christian art.

Medium and Technique:
Executed in egg tempera on a prepared wooden panel with gesso underlayer. This follows the standard Cretan icon-making process, including incised outlines for halos and detailed punchwork (now faded due to wear).

Attribution and Dating:
Attributed to the Veneto-Cretan School (Cretan School during Venetian dominion), late 15th century (circa 1470–1500).

Rationale for Attribution:
The artwork merges traditional Byzantine aesthetics—such as stylized, elongated forms, linear drapery with precise geometric folds, and a focus on spiritual introspection—with emerging Western Renaissance elements like subtle volumetric shading on the face and softer flesh tones achieved through brown underpainting and white highlights. The color palette (vibrant red and green) and contemplative pose are signature traits of Cretan workshops in Candia (modern Heraklion), influenced by masters like Andreas Ritzos or Andreas Pavias. This period marks the height of Cretan icon production for export to Venice and broader Europe, blending Orthodox iconography with Venetian commercial styles.

Provinance:
Tinkhauser family, Bruneck (Brunico), South Tyrol, Italy (a region with historical ties to Northern Italian art collecting traditions). See less