Arts & Antiques 10-4
Tattoos boast a colorful history
While most people convey stories on paper or on film, there are a growing number of people who recount their most compelling recollections of life, love, and loss on their tummies, thighs or triceps. A recent Harris poll indicates that nearly 20 percent of the American population has at least one tattoo.
Celebrities, sports heroes and even royalty are no strangers to body art, including Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts, Jason Giambi, Anna Kournikova, King Frederick of Denmark, Queen Olga of Greece and Princess Stephanie of Monaco.
Tattoos date back to 12,000 B.C. The word “tattoo” comes from a Tahitian word “tattow” or “ta-tu” meaning to mark the skin. Definitions aside, tattoos have a close relationship with fine art. While the purpose of tattoos varies by culture, the most common purpose for a tattoo is to demonstrate membership or mark rites of passage.
Historically, the ancient Greeks tattooed spies, the Romans tattooed criminals, and the Polynesians tattooed ranking tribe members. Tattoos signified religion in Japan, where the coveted body suit was born — an illustrious form of body art where one’s entire body is tattooed.
From circa 1066 to circa 1700, tattoos nearly vanished from Western society. In 1691, the modern tattoo was reintroduced by British explorer, William Dampier. After a sea voyage, Dampier arrived home with a heavily tattooed Polynesian man named Prince Giolo. In London, the public marveled at the Giolo’s extensive tattoos during public appearances, thus reviving an interest in the art. Nearly a century later, Captain James Cook brought home a tattooed Polynesian named Omai and tattoos quickly became fashionable with the educated elite.
Early tattooing was a slow and painful procedure done completely by hand. Based on Thomas Edison’s automatic printing pen, inventor Samuel O’Riley revolutionized tattooing with his patent for the first electric tattoo machine in 1891. The electric tattoo machine had a needle bar that moved up/down rapidly and penetrated the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin creating an abrasion to host the tattoo.
Throughout the 20th century, tattoos experienced a varied history. About 1900 to 1910, tattoos became the subject of public exhibitions. Ringling Brothers circus attracted patrons with a display of the body art of Miss Betty Broadbent at a time when tattooing was being forced underground. By World War I, soldiers and sailors frequented New York’s Chatham Square where they bought tattoos of military imagery.
Tattoo studios appeared in towns with military bases during the early decades of the 1900s. Conversely, tattoos’ popularity was on the decline during World War II because tattoos were again seen as the mark of social outcasts. The clean-cut nature of the 1950s was a low point for tattoos. In the 1960s, a hepatitis outbreak prompted tattooing to fall out of favor in the U.S. For the latter decades of the 1900s, tattoos were unwanted marks of the past.
Currently, tattooing is experiencing widespread popularity. The tattoo process and imagery is now an inspirational art form. Tattoo artists are aptly considered fine artists as they unite art history and their own creativity into new tattoo compositions. Contemporary tattoos recall famous art historical imagery and reflect significant events. For example, the man who boasts this impressive tattoo of the Statue of Liberty on his arm reported that his reasons for acquiring this work of body art stemmed from his reaction to the events of September 11. He explained “After 9-11, I had a new view of my own patriotism, and with this tattoo, I reconsidered what it meant to be an American.” Like other important examples throughout art history, tattoos reflect society and recall both socially historic and deeply personal events.
Attend Dr. Lori’s antiques appraisal event at the Upper Merion Library in King of Prussia on Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. Watch Dr. Lori on the Fine Living Network’s “Worth Every Penny,” on the TV morning show “Daytime” and on KYW CBS 3 TV’s “Weekend News.” For more information, call 888-431-1010 or visit www.DrLoriV.com.
Celebrities, sports heroes and even royalty are no strangers to body art, including Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts, Jason Giambi, Anna Kournikova, King Frederick of Denmark, Queen Olga of Greece and Princess Stephanie of Monaco.
Tattoos date back to 12,000 B.C. The word “tattoo” comes from a Tahitian word “tattow” or “ta-tu” meaning to mark the skin. Definitions aside, tattoos have a close relationship with fine art. While the purpose of tattoos varies by culture, the most common purpose for a tattoo is to demonstrate membership or mark rites of passage.
Historically, the ancient Greeks tattooed spies, the Romans tattooed criminals, and the Polynesians tattooed ranking tribe members. Tattoos signified religion in Japan, where the coveted body suit was born — an illustrious form of body art where one’s entire body is tattooed.
From circa 1066 to circa 1700, tattoos nearly vanished from Western society. In 1691, the modern tattoo was reintroduced by British explorer, William Dampier. After a sea voyage, Dampier arrived home with a heavily tattooed Polynesian man named Prince Giolo. In London, the public marveled at the Giolo’s extensive tattoos during public appearances, thus reviving an interest in the art. Nearly a century later, Captain James Cook brought home a tattooed Polynesian named Omai and tattoos quickly became fashionable with the educated elite.
Early tattooing was a slow and painful procedure done completely by hand. Based on Thomas Edison’s automatic printing pen, inventor Samuel O’Riley revolutionized tattooing with his patent for the first electric tattoo machine in 1891. The electric tattoo machine had a needle bar that moved up/down rapidly and penetrated the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin creating an abrasion to host the tattoo.
Throughout the 20th century, tattoos experienced a varied history. About 1900 to 1910, tattoos became the subject of public exhibitions. Ringling Brothers circus attracted patrons with a display of the body art of Miss Betty Broadbent at a time when tattooing was being forced underground. By World War I, soldiers and sailors frequented New York’s Chatham Square where they bought tattoos of military imagery.
Tattoo studios appeared in towns with military bases during the early decades of the 1900s. Conversely, tattoos’ popularity was on the decline during World War II because tattoos were again seen as the mark of social outcasts. The clean-cut nature of the 1950s was a low point for tattoos. In the 1960s, a hepatitis outbreak prompted tattooing to fall out of favor in the U.S. For the latter decades of the 1900s, tattoos were unwanted marks of the past.
Currently, tattooing is experiencing widespread popularity. The tattoo process and imagery is now an inspirational art form. Tattoo artists are aptly considered fine artists as they unite art history and their own creativity into new tattoo compositions. Contemporary tattoos recall famous art historical imagery and reflect significant events. For example, the man who boasts this impressive tattoo of the Statue of Liberty on his arm reported that his reasons for acquiring this work of body art stemmed from his reaction to the events of September 11. He explained “After 9-11, I had a new view of my own patriotism, and with this tattoo, I reconsidered what it meant to be an American.” Like other important examples throughout art history, tattoos reflect society and recall both socially historic and deeply personal events.
Attend Dr. Lori’s antiques appraisal event at the Upper Merion Library in King of Prussia on Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. Watch Dr. Lori on the Fine Living Network’s “Worth Every Penny,” on the TV morning show “Daytime” and on KYW CBS 3 TV’s “Weekend News.” For more information, call 888-431-1010 or visit www.DrLoriV.com.
