Spanish school, 18th century. "Saint Bartholomew". Oil on panel in oval format with incorporated frame. Lower and upper carving of the frame from the 18th century. It presents some faults in the frame and in the carvings. Measurements: 39 x 47 cm (painting); 94 x 70 cm (frame). Saint Bartholomew, adorned with a martyr`s halo, shows with his right hand his own skin flayed. Next to his bare feet, a knife completes the narrative of his martyrdom. Next to his head, a faint break of glory opens with a golden light that also permeates the idyllic landscape, dotted with houses and streams. Bartholomew, according to biblical accounts, was flayed alive, which is why he is considered the patron saint of tanners. Bartholomew was one of Jesus` apostles, and is mentioned in the Gospels always in the company of Philip. According to John, in whose Gospel he appears under the name of Nathanael, he was one of the disciples to whom Jesus appeared at the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was also a witness to Jesus` ascension. The tradition recorded by Eusebius of Caesarea recounts that Bartholomew went to preach the Gospel in India, where he left a copy of Matthew`s Gospel in Aramaic. Armenian tradition also attributes to him the preaching of Christianity in the Caucasian country, together with St. Jude Thaddeus, and both are considered patron saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Their martyrdom and death are attributed to Astiages, king of Armenia and brother of King Polymius, whom the saint had converted to Christianity. When the priests of the pagan temples, who were running out of followers, protested to Astiages about Bartholomew`s evangelising work, the ruler sent for him and ordered him to worship their idols, just as he had done with his brother. When the saint refused, the king ordered him to be flayed alive in his presence until he renounced God or died.