Swiss man sells back tattoo to gallery

ZURICH, Switzerland, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- A Zurich, Switzerland, art gallery said a man has sold his back tattoo to a collector under an agreement that will see the tattoo displayed three times a year.

Gallery owner Jutta Nexdorf said tattoo bearer Tim Steiner struck a $217,789 deal that states the gallery can display the tattoo of the Virgin Mary -- still on Steiner's back -- three times a year and has the option of removing it from Steiner's skin upon his death, The Sun reported Tuesday.

Nexdorf said the gallery also has the option of reselling the tattoo, which was created by Belgian artist Wim Delvoye over the course of 35 hours.

She said the tattoo of Jesus' mother will be displayed next week in Singapore and Shanghai with proceeds being shared by the gallery, Steiner and Delvoye.