Name: icon "John the Evangelist and Peter the Apostle; Nativity and Baptism of Jesus"
Author: unknown
Date: mid 16th century
Country: Ukraine
Technique/material: tempera and silver gilt on panel
The icon is part of the iconostasis exhibited in the museum "Stara Skvaryava iconostasis of the XVI-XVIII centuries"
Description:
The portrayal of the apostles in this icon is dynamic and symbolic. The evangelist John, often referred to as John the Apostole, is depicted in conversation with the evangelist Mark, turning towards him. In his left hand, he holds a closed book, which represents the Gospel, while his right hand is raised in a blessing gesture. On the other hand, Saint Peter is portrayed moving towards the center of the composition. He is holding a folded scroll and a key as his attributes.
In Eastern Christian iconography, the depiction of John the Apostole varies. If the icon represents a historical, Gospel event where the apostle was present with Jesus and other disciples, he is depicted as a young, beardless youth, reflecting his appearance at that time. However, if he is shown in the role of an apostle (outside of a specific historical context, such as in deisis tiers or the Last Judgment) or in the context of his later life and ministry, he is depicted as an elderly, gray-bearded sage, as he lived to a ripe old age and was considered a wise elder, typically portrayed in old age.
The iconography of Saint Peter developed early and had distinctive characteristics. Peter is depicted with a high forehead, sometimes with a receding hairline, gray hair, short curly hair, and a beard. In Ukrainian iconography, especially during the 15th and 16th centuries, it was common to depict him wearing a blue or green chiton (tunic) and a yellowish-golden himation (cloak).
The scene of the Nativity of Christ is presented in the variation known as the “Adoration of the Shepherds”. Mary is portrayed semi-reclining on a red bed within a cave (the stable), where swaddled baby Jesus lies in a manger (the form of the manger resembling a sarcophagus in which Christ's lifeless body will be placed thirty-three years later). A donkey and an ox are shown nearby, providing warmth to the baby Jesus with their breath. Above, there is an open sky with the Star of Bethlehem, and in the background of the sky, there are disproportionately large angelic figures. One of the angels is announcing the birth of the Messiah to a shepherd. In the lower left corner of the composition, Joseph is depicted in a contemplative posture, struggling with doubts about the Virgin birth of his son, accompanied by a shepherd figure, which researchers and theologians interpret as an evil spirit whispering these thoughts to Joseph.
The Baptism of the Lord is one of the most well-known and ancient themes in Christian art, and its iconography has Byzantine origins. In this depiction, Christ is portrayed naked, standing in the Jordan River. His right hand is gesturing as if blessing the waters of the river and its inhabitants. An interesting detail is the small figure of a bearded, hunchbacked man holding a red jug in his hand, depicted in the lower left corner of the icon. This figure personifies the Jordan River itself.
John the Baptist, noticeably smaller in size compared to Jesus, stands on the riverbank and pours water over Jesus’ head with his hand. Above Jesus’ head (similar to the Nativity icon), the Heavens are open, but instead of a star, the Holy Spirit is represented as a dove, which, according to the Gospels, descended from above at that moment. To the right, three angels are depicted as if serving Christ.
The description was prepared by Roman Zilinko, art historian, icon painter