Tattooed Man Sells the Skin Off His Back

A man has sold an elaborate tattoo of the Virgin Mary, which is still on his back, to an art collector who plans to 'exhibit' him three times a year.

The extraordinary transaction, which Zurich gallery owner Jutta Nexdorf claims is the first of its kind, earned the vendor, Tim Steiner, 150,000 euros ($AU219,000).

Under the terms of the sale, when Mr Steiner dies the tattoo, which took 35 hours to create, will be removed and handed over to its new owner.

The owner will also be allowed to sell right to exhibit the tattoo, created by Belgian artist Wim Delvoye and notable for depicting the mother of Jesus with a lifeless skull.

Proceeds from the sale are being shared among the gallery, tattoo bearer Mr Steiner and Mr Delvoye.

The tattoo will go on show for the first time next week in Singapore and Shanghai.

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Tattooed Man Sells the Skin Off His Back
Tattooed Man Sells the Skin Off His Back

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