# The Apostle St Bartholomew

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/the-apostle-st-bartholomew-rc5b3f16fc8272c>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [MATTEO di Giovanni](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905>)
- Date: 1451-1500
- Technique: Tempera on wood, 80,5 x 48 cm

## Commentary

According to the legend, Bartholomew was first flayed then beheaded because the Apostle refused to worship idols. Consequently, already beginning with the 14th century, many of the portrayals of the Saint show him as holding his own flayed skin. Matteo di Giovanni, however, was not content with the type of representation customary in Tuscany, holding his skin in hand but smartly dressed. He preferred to follow an old Umbrian iconographic tradition and to portray the already flayed Apostle as an athletic nude wearing his skin elegantly as a stole over his shoulder. The painting was earlier attributed to Antonio del Pollaiolo. \*\*\* Keywords: \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Author: MATTEO di Giovanni Title: The Apostle St Bartholomew Time-line: 1451-1500 School: Italian Form: painting Type: religious

## Related artworks

- [Annunciation with Saints](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/annunciation-with-saints-rd0e4e472036617>)
- [Assumption of the Virgin](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/assumption-of-the-virgin-r2a2ce78b5878be>)
- [Assumption of the Virgin](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/assumption-of-the-virgin-rf159720ec6897b>)
- [Calling of Sts Peter and Andrew](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/calling-of-sts-peter-and-andrew-rfe585fef119aef>)
- [Madonna and Child with Angels and Cherubim](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-and-child-with-angels-and-cherubim-re7609b34878596>)
- [Madonna and Child with Six Saints](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-and-child-with-six-saints-r01d4c76764241b>)
- [Madonna and Child with Sts Jerome, Catherine of Alexandria, and Angels](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-and-child-with-sts-jerome-catherine-of-alexandria-and-angels-rbc508fb4a2781b>)
- [Madonna with Child and Two Angels \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-with-child-and-two-angels-detail-r2fa34947913c9a>)
- [Madonna with Child and Two Angels](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-with-child-and-two-angels-r9ec3e45ed4e90b>)
- [Madonna with Child and Two Angels](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/madonna-with-child-and-two-angels-rac1488ec462991>)
- [Massacre of the Innocents](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/massacre-of-the-innocents-r704efcdce9f2c2>)
- [St Bernardino Restoring a Child to Life](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/matteo-di-giovanni-rbe5c0ebc2bb905/st-bernardino-restoring-a-child-to-life-rf02e26c9a13d7d>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)