Michelangelo's Curious Self-Portrait!

Map

Fresco of St Bartholomew by Michelangelo

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August 24th is the Feast Day of St Bartholomew, the patron saint of tanners and dermatologists. 

According to legend, St Bartholomew met his death by being flayed alive. The saint is prominently displayed in Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgement, in the Sistine Chapel. St Bartholomew holds a knife in one hand and his skin in the other. The face on the latter bears the features of Michelangelo himself! 

The medieval church of San Bartolomeo all' Isola, which is situated on the Tiber Island, is dedicated to St Bartholomew. 

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