He saw Jesus—and believed instantly. He saw Hell with his own...
Art Beyond Subjectivity@JScotteswood
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Mar 29, 2025
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He saw Jesus—and believed instantly.
He saw Hell with his own eyes—And pleaded for the souls trapped inside.
He was skinned alive—Yet never cursed God.
This is the Apostle they rarely tell you about… 🧵👇
He saw Hell with his own eyes—And pleaded for the souls trapped inside.
He was skinned alive—Yet never cursed God.
This is the Apostle they rarely tell you about… 🧵👇
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His name was Bartholomew.
Jesus called him
“a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”
He recognized the Messiah not through miracles
— but at first glance. 📸:Abs
Jesus called him
“a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”
He recognized the Messiah not through miracles
— but at first glance. 📸:Abs
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In the Cathedral of Milan, he still stands.
But not like any other saint.
Marco d’Agrate sculpted him without skin— anatomy exposed, tendons mapped, his own flesh draped over one shoulder. 📸:Abs
But not like any other saint.
Marco d’Agrate sculpted him without skin— anatomy exposed, tendons mapped, his own flesh draped over one shoulder. 📸:Abs
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He followed Christ to the cross.
And after the Resurrection, he was there:
On the shore of the Sea of Tiberias, when Jesus returned
— and called them again. 📸:Abs
And after the Resurrection, he was there:
On the shore of the Sea of Tiberias, when Jesus returned
— and called them again. 📸:Abs
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Bartholomew’s statue was first placed outside the cathedral.
Too disturbing for the faithful.
Only in 1664 did it move inside.
The sculptor signed it:
— “Not by Praxiteles, but by Marco, son of Agrate.” 📸:Abs
Too disturbing for the faithful.
Only in 1664 did it move inside.
The sculptor signed it:
— “Not by Praxiteles, but by Marco, son of Agrate.” 📸:Abs
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Tradition says he preached in India and Armenia:
— Converted kings.
— Refused to stop.
So they skinned him alive. Then beheaded him.
And yet!
He never cursed his executioners.
📸:Public Domain
— Converted kings.
— Refused to stop.
So they skinned him alive. Then beheaded him.
And yet!
He never cursed his executioners.
📸:Public Domain
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Michelangelo painted him in the Last Judgment.
Saint Bartholomew holds his own flayed skin.
And the face on the skin — is Michelangelo’s self-portrait.
Yes, the genius was suffering a lot.
📸:Public Domain
Saint Bartholomew holds his own flayed skin.
And the face on the skin — is Michelangelo’s self-portrait.
Yes, the genius was suffering a lot.
📸:Public Domain
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There’s more.
In apocryphal texts, Bartholomew saw the depths of Hell.
Jesus allowed it—not as punishment, but because He trusted him.
And what did Bartholomew do?
He wept.
And begged Jesus to save even the wicked. 📸:Public Domain
In apocryphal texts, Bartholomew saw the depths of Hell.
Jesus allowed it—not as punishment, but because He trusted him.
And what did Bartholomew do?
He wept.
And begged Jesus to save even the wicked. 📸:Public Domain
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Venice, Tiepolo painted his martyrdom.
Dark tones. Brutal realism.
No halo. No peace.
Just pain… And Faith
Even Goya would be inspired by that darkness.
— I have immense love, admiration and reverence, it’s my profile picture.
📸:Abs
Dark tones. Brutal realism.
No halo. No peace.
Just pain… And Faith
Even Goya would be inspired by that darkness.
— I have immense love, admiration and reverence, it’s my profile picture.
📸:Abs
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Faith. Flesh. Fire.
Bartholomew faced all three—and never backed down.
That’s why his skin became a symbol.
Not of torment— but of love that goes deeper than the body.
🎥: Great video of @MADadTrips
Bartholomew faced all three—and never backed down.
That’s why his skin became a symbol.
Not of torment— but of love that goes deeper than the body.
🎥: Great video of @MADadTrips
0:32
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If this thread spoke to you-
follow @jscotteswood.
I share inspiring stories, some carved in marble, and others painted on canvas.
Sources:
• Gospel & Questions ofBartholomew
• Academia.edu, EWTN, Mainly Museums
• Duomo di Milano, National Gallery, Vatican Museums 📸:Abs
follow @jscotteswood.
I share inspiring stories, some carved in marble, and others painted on canvas.
Sources:
• Gospel & Questions ofBartholomew
• Academia.edu, EWTN, Mainly Museums
• Duomo di Milano, National Gallery, Vatican Museums 📸:Abs
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Bônus Abs photos:
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At 72,—Michelangelo carved his own face into stone.
It was for his own funeral moment, after 8 years he tried to destroy the sculpture.
There's more to this Pietà than anyone tells 🧵👇
At 72,—Michelangelo carved his own face into stone.
It was for his own funeral moment, after 8 years he tried to destroy the sculpture.
There's more to this Pietà than anyone tells 🧵👇
Art Beyond Subjectivity@JScotteswood
The most misunderstood sculpture Michelangelo ever made…
wasn’t for the Church nor glory.
It was for himself.
At 72, with no commissions and no applause—he carved his own face into stone.
And then he tried to destroy it.
There’s more to this Pietà than anyone tells you. 🧵
wasn’t for the Church nor glory.
It was for himself.
At 72, with no commissions and no applause—he carved his own face into stone.
And then he tried to destroy it.
There’s more to this Pietà than anyone tells you. 🧵