Saint Bartholomew, Apostle The Golden Legend says that St. Bartholomew traveled to India, where he bound in chains of fire a black demon who had troubled a local king, who then converted.  The pagan priests complained to the king's brother, who captured Bartholomew and had him flayed alive. Portraits usually show St. Bartholomew with a book and flaying knife, as at left and in this example.  Sometimes he is instead shown skinless (example) or in the process of being flayed (example), and sometimes he stands with his book in hand and the black demon chained at his feet (example). The Legend describes St. Bartholomew as having black curly hair, large eyes, fair skin, and a long beard starting to gray.  Of these features the only one followed consistently in the images is the curly hair. Feast day: August 24 At left, stained glass from 1410 Other images: Ribera, Martyrdom of  St. Bartholomew 14th century relief Statue in the Lateran Basilica 11th or 12th century ivory Hagiography: Golden Legend #123: html or pdf Acts of Bartholomew, ca. 500 (cached) Also see:     Apostles (as a group) Menu