In 1571, Marcantonio Bragadin, the last Venetian captain of Cyprus, was skinned alive by order of Lala Mustafa Paşa, commander of the Ottoman forces. His skin was stuffed and used as a bargaining tool with the Serenissima. The skin was recovered and is now preserved in the Basilica of Saints John and Paul, pantheon of the Venetian doges and heroes. It is normally believed that the recovery of the relic took place in 1580 on the initiative of the Bragadin family. This study shows instead that it was a Venetian state initiative and took place in1575-1576, using various means including one of Titian’s most enigmatic paintings.
In 1571, Marcantonio Bragadin, the last Venetian captain of Cyprus, was skinned alive by order of Lala Mustafa Paşa, commander of the Ottoman forces. His skin was stuffed and used as a bargaining tool with the Serenissima. The skin was recovered and is now preserved in the Basilica of Saints John and Paul, pantheon of the Venetian doges and heroes. It is normally believed that the recovery of the relic took place in 1580 on the initiative of the Bragadin family. This study shows instead that it was a Venetian state initiative and took place in1575-1576, using various means including one of Titian’s most enigmatic paintings.
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