Icon of Saint John the Baptist
previously catalogued as attributed to Greek School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1600 - 1699
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
665 x 605 x 80 mm
Order this imageCollection
Chartwell, Kent
NT 1102557
Summary
Oil painting on panel, Icon of Saint John the Baptist, Cretan School, 17th century. A half length to the left, holding a cross, with his arms crossed at the wrist. In 17th century Venetian-influenced casseta frame.
Full description
A 17th-century icon of St John the Baptist, created by the Cretan School of iconographic art. Exact date of origin uncertain but may be circa 1669 when the school relocated to the Ionian islands after the Ottoman conquest of Crete, as implied by its Venetian-influenced cassetta frame. Previously considered to be a 19th-century Greek creation, an updated identification was reached in 2025 in consultation with the Benaki Museum of Athens and Department of Byzantine Art and Archaeology at Athens University. This icon was gifted to Winston Churchill shortly before 28 April 1945 by Archbishop Damaskinos, by then Regent of Greece.
Provenance
Gift of Archbishop Damaskinos to Winston Churchill circa 28 April 1945. Transferred to the National Trust as part of Chartwell General Furnishings and Museum Exhibits, 1966.
Makers and roles
previously catalogued as attributed to Greek School, artist