St Bartholomew is the most prominent flayed Christian martyr. During the 16th century, images of the flaying of Bartholomew were so popular that it came to signify the saint in works of art. Consequently, Saint Bartholomew is most often represented being skinned alive.

Why was Bartholomew flayed?

This grisly effigy displays an early Christian martyr who was skinned alive and beheaded. Saint Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. ... According to traditional hagiography, he was flayed and beheaded there for converting the king to Christianity.

How did St. Bartholomew become a saint?

This saint's main symbol consists of three knives representing his gruesome death. Because of the manner in which he died, St. Bartholomew became the patron saint of butchers, tanners, and leather workers, who peel the hide off animals before the carcasses are sent to the butcher.