Flaying Knife
Flaying knife—instrument of martyrdom.
Apostles
Saint Bartholomew
Nathanael
A knife points to the tradition of Bartholomew’s flaying. Some artists give him the blade alone, others also show the flayed skin.
Saint BartholomewRembrandt · 1661
01 / 06
- Feast
- August 24
- Era
- 1st century · Galilee, Armenia (trad.)
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Iconographic Attributes
Iconographic field guide
Identifying features
Knife is the portable attribute; skin draped on arm is the narrative climax. Ribera and Michelangelo made this identity unforgettable. Do not confuse with Lawrence (gridiron) or generic butcher saints without apostolic context.
- Clothing
- apostolic robes
- Colours
- red · dark green
- Symbols
- flaying knife · skin
Book
Apostolic witness when knife is absent.
Apostolic Robes
Garments of the Twelve or evangelists
Prophet's Beard
Venerable age of prophets and Baptist
Visual Gallery
Works / 06Saint BartholomewRembrandt · 1661
Saint BartholomewCircle of Jusepe de Ribera · 1643
Saint BartholomewJusepe de Ribera · 1634
Leaf from a Book of Hours with Saint Bartholomewc. 1440–1460
Saint BartholomewJusepe de Ribera · 1630
The martyrdom of Saint BartholomewGiambattista Pittoni · 1735
Biography
Life & legacy
Mark 3Mark includes Bartholomew among the Twelve. A longstanding tradition identifies him with Nathanael in John’s Gospel, although the texts do not make that identification. The knife and flayed skin in his images come from later accounts of his martyrdom.
John 1:45–51; Synoptic lists; flaying martyrdom tradition; Michelangelo Last Judgment.
Representation in Sacred Art
Narrative scenes to recognize
Flaying martyrdom
Calling of Nathanael
Apostolic company
Visual Recognition Guide
1.Large knife or flaying knife
Instrument of martyrdom—almost diagnostic
2.His own skin draped over arm
Michelangelo and Ribera tradition—unforgettable
3.Gaunt intense face
Often shown stripped or with anatomical frankness
4.Book (sometimes)
Apostolic Gospel witness
Quick checklist
Knife or skin attribute; gaunt face in Baroque martyrdom panels.
Patronage and Devotion
butchersleather workerstannersArmenia
Distinguishing Similar Figures
Often confused with Saint Jude Thaddeus: Both appear in apostolic lists; knife vs club
Often confused with Saint Lawrence: Both martyrdom attributes are gruesome; Lawrence has gridiron
Notes from the Archive
- Michelangelo’s Last Judgment shows his flayed self-portrait as Bartholomew’s skin
The Twelve Apostles course
Bartholomew and his knife
Distinguish the attributes of Bartholomew from the account of his name in scripture.
Study this lesson 8 min · FreePractice
