St. Bartholomew was one of Christ's apostles who faced a grisly demise. While on a mission to India, he was punished for converting people to Christianity. But the end itself was particularly vicious. Bartholomew was reportedly flayed alive, his entire skin removed as he watched the process in agony.
As a result of his martyrdom, for centuries St. Bartholomew was shown holding his own skin. The statue of St. Bartholomew in Milan, created by Marco d'Agrate in the 16th century, remains one of the most realistic artistic depictions of the saint.