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Stripped to the bone
08.09.06
Skinned alive: Saint Bartholomew, Exquisite Pain, by Damien Hirst
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A man holds his own skin over his arm. He is brandishing a scalpel and a pair of scissors, strongly suggesting he has just mutilated himself.
The 8ft bronze statue - Saint Bartholomew, Exquisite Pain - is the latest work from Britain's leading modern artist Damien Hirst.
He is joining forces with the Duke of Devonshire for a Sotheby's exhibition of modern sculpture at Chatsworth in Derbyshire.
St Bartholomew was one of the 12 apostles who, tradition has it, was skinned alive in Armenia.
Hirst said of his latest creation: "St Bartholomew comes from woodcuts and etchings I remember seeing when I was younger. As he was a martyr who was skinned alive, he was often used by artists and doctors to show human anatomy."
Hirst said his work was a homage to Tim Burton's gothic 1990 film Edward Scissorhands, starring Johnny Depp.
"I added the scissors because I thought Edward Scissorhands was in a similarly tragic yet difficult position," he said. "It has the feel of a rape of the innocents about it."
Hirst, who sprang to fame with art consisting of dead sheep and electrocuted insects, caused controversy in June with his 13.5-tonne bronze statue The Virgin Mother in the courtyard of the Royal Academy.
It depicted a pregnant woman with her skin cut away to reveal the foetus.
Francis Outred, Sotheby's specialist for the Chatsworth exhibition, said of Hirst's latest creation: "It is an incredible privilege to be able to present this breathtaking new sculpture for the first time.
"Its beautiful classical lines suit the stunning natural landscape of Chatsworth perfectly."
Also in the exhibition, which runs from today until 27 October, are works by Henry Moore, Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley. All the works will be for sale.
Reader views (7)
It's obvious. Hirst is one of Robbie Williams biggest fans.
- Tommy B, Kidderminster
I am surprised that no one can see that Hirst simply plagiarized Houdon's famous and ubiquitous ecorche. Any first year art student eighty years ago would have laughed at this.
- Jeffrey Zomek, springfield USA
I think this statue is really compelling. Not something you would want in your living room but in the right sized space it just looks fabulous. This is ceratinly not for the squeamins but then again it's not for people who love the gory. Its much more fascinating than anything else and I think it is going to attract a lot of visitors, spurred on by other recent anatomy spectaculars by professor Von Hagen.
- Susan, North Ealing
This reminds me of the exhibition "body work" of the infamous professor von Hagen. Only this human being is made of bronze instead of real flesh.
It would look good displayed on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar square.
- Jacques, Cannes - France
It just goes to prove, art is anything you can get away with. It needs a disclaimer--Do Not Try This at Home. Perhaps years from now, it won't even raise an eyebrow- but I certainly hope not.
- Heather, Pawleys Island, South Carolina, USA
Saint Bartholomew, Exquisite Pain is gruesome! I read that Hirst was inspired by Edward Scissorhands when he created this, and you can see it clearly. If he had a beard and a pirate's cap he'd be Johnny Depp stripped and skinned. I really didn't like this sculpture at all. Art should be beautiful, Hirst revels in things that make you wince.
- Helen, Birmingham
Gruesome but gorgeous! The human body is indeed a work of art.
- Nicole Lafrance, Louisiana, USA
