Tattoing Collection

Portrait of a tattooed man, c.1889 (photo)
7078841 Portrait of a tattooed man, c.1889 (photo); Private Collection; Prismatic Pictures

One of Wyngyno's wives, an Indian leader Powhatan. Contemporary of the colony of Roanoke (North Carolina, USA)
NWI4896075 One of Wyngyno's wives, an Indian leader Powhatan. Contemporary of the colony of Roanoke (North Carolina, USA), circa 1585

Head of an Australian aboriginal. Man of New Holland. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Frederic Shoberl's
FLO4695308 Head of an Australian aboriginal. Man of New Holland. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Frederic Shoberl's The World in Miniature: The Asiatic Islands and New Holland, R

Native of Nuku Hiva with spear and skull. Young man of the Marquesas Islands not completely tattooed
FLO4695728 Native of Nuku Hiva with spear and skull. Young man of the Marquesas Islands not completely tattooed. Handcoloured stipple engraving from Frederic Shoberl's The World in Miniature

Kadoo, a native of the Caroline Islands, with elongated earlobes, necklace and tattoos
FLO4695709 Kadoo, a native of the Caroline Islands, with elongated earlobes, necklace and tattoos. Handcoloured stipple engraving from Frederic Shoberl's The World in Miniature

Ornamental tattoos: African woman 1, Maori chief (New Zealand) 2, Maori king 3, Caroline Islander 4
FLO4678680 Ornamental tattoos: African woman 1, Maori chief (New Zealand) 2, Maori king 3, Caroline Islander 4, hand 5 and foot 6 of a Dayak (Borneo), and a Japanese man with irezumi and fundoshi 7

A group of Indian warriors from Florida, USA, with tattooed bodies, gathered at a war assembly
FLO4635649 A group of Indian warriors from Florida, USA, with tattooed bodies, gathered at a war assembly. Lithography for the book

Portrait of the chiefs of the Sandwich Islands (Hawai): in the centre, Kiaimoukou, Maui Island, on the left
FLO4636338 Portrait of the chiefs of the Sandwich Islands (Hawai): in the centre, Kiaimoukou, Maui Island, on the left, a tattoo chef from Oahu Island, on the right, an officer from Kiamoukou

Chieftains of various Florida Native American nations leading an army of warriors and archers to battle
FLO4622014 Chieftains of various Florida Native American nations leading an army of warriors and archers to battle (including Timucuan chief Utina)

Pict woman tattooed carrying weapons, 16th century (Engraving)
1836943 Pict woman tattooed carrying weapons, 16th century (Engraving); (add.info.: Pict woman (1st inhabitants of England) tattoo carrying weapons. Engraving, France, 16th.); Photo © CCI

Indian chef potano Utina, 1591 (engraving)
2435407 Indian chef potano Utina, 1591 (engraving) by Bry, Theodor de (1528-98); (add.info.: USA. Gravure in: Indorum Floridam provinciam inhabitantium eicones. Coll. Part. History. USA)

Costumes of the tattooed natives of Dalagoa Bay (Maputo Bay), Mozambique, in front of a village of circular huts
FLO4620233 Costumes of the tattooed natives of Dalagoa Bay (Maputo Bay), Mozambique, in front of a village of circular huts

British antiquite (pre-Roman period, before 1st century): Catini and Caledonian inhabitants (Scotland)
FLO4608209 British antiquite (pre-Roman period, before 1st century): Catini and Caledonian inhabitants (Scotland) of the northern plains and forests of Great Britain

Sarcee man Massika in feather headdress and face tattoo or scarification
FLO4605335 Sarcee man Massika in feather headdress and face tattoo or scarification, and Blackfoot chief Mehkskeme-Sukahs with feather headdress, medicine fetish and bearskin cape

Native of Viti Levou, the largest island of FIJI (Pacific)
JAB4121698 Native of Viti Levou, the largest island of FIJI (Pacific).; (add.info.: Native of Viti Levou, the largest island of FIJI (Pacific).); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Young girl from Madison Island (French Polynesia) - Young girl with headdress, necklace, shift and feather fan
FLO4724436 Young girl from Madison Island (French Polynesia) - Young girl with headdress, necklace, shift and feather fan, with tattoos on her arms and legs from Nuku Hiva island (Madison)

Costumes and tattoos of the indigenous Carolinian Mariana. Illustration from Voyage Around the World (1824)
FLO4636325 Costumes and tattoos of the indigenous Carolinian Mariana. Illustration from Voyage Around the World (1824) by Louis de Freycinet (1779-1842)

Palawa Aboriginal couple from Tasmania (Australia), with scarification bodies
FLO4636103 Palawa Aboriginal couple from Tasmania (Australia), with scarification bodies. Lithography for the book: " Galerie complete en tableaux fideles des peuples d'Amerique et

A man from Nuku Hiva Island with tattoos on his body, 1813 (engraving and watercolour)
FIA5635309 A man from Nuku Hiva Island with tattoos on his body, 1813 (engraving and watercolour); Musee du Quai Branly et des Arts Premiers, Paris

Native from New Zealand, 1861 (engraving)
6947877 Native from New Zealand, 1861 (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: Native from New Zealand. From artwork by Chenu " Encyclopedie d'Histoire Naturelle " 1861)

Head of a New Zealander, with a comb in his hair. 1770 (engraving)
7295525 Head of a New Zealander, with a comb in his hair. 1770 (engraving) by Parkinson, Sydney (c.1745-71); 20.1x16.2 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Chukchi (Chukchi) woman with tattoos on her cheek, chin and arm, and ear piercings. (Chukotka region, Russia)
FLO4722615 Chukchi (Chukchi) woman with tattoos on her cheek, chin and arm, and ear piercings. (Chukotka region, Russia). From Joseph Billings (1758-1806)

Indian leader of Timucua tribe making a ceremony for victory before fighting with neighboring tribes, Florida
NWI4898524 Indian leader of Timucua tribe making a ceremony for victory before fighting with neighboring tribes, Florida, around 1500

Native man of distinction from Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, with club, fan, loincloth and full body tattoos
FLO4695640 Native man of distinction from Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, with club, fan, loincloth and full body tattoos. Handcoloured stipple engraving from Frederic Shoberl's The World in

Native of North America, after Cartias, National Library, 1780. Handcoloured steel engraving by Polydor Pauquet
FLO4686542 Native of North America, after Cartias, National Library, 1780. Handcoloured steel engraving by Polydor Pauquet from the Pauquet Brothers " Modes et Costumes Etrangers Anciens et

Native of Mozambique with earrings and face painting, 19th century. Handcoloured lithograph by J
FLO4688409 Native of Mozambique with earrings and face painting, 19th century. Handcoloured lithograph by J. Bull from James Cowles Prichard's Natural History of Man, Balliere, London

Native Bahamas family, as described by early explorers of the New World - Colorised engraving
NWI4853722 Native Bahamas family, as described by early explorers of the New World - Colorised engraving, 19th century - Natives of the Bahamas as described by early explorers of the New World

Tribe of the Timucua Indians, 1591 (engraving)
2435429 Tribe of the Timucua Indians, 1591 (engraving) by Bry, Theodor de (1528-98); (add.info.: History. USA. Tribe of the timucuan indians: chief with his wife)

A woman of Oonalashka, late 18th century (engraving)
7342263 A woman of Oonalashka, late 18th century (engraving) by Webber, John (1750-93) (after); 59.3x46 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Woman of the Caroline Islands. Queen of the Caroline Islands holding a leaf parasol, her limbs tattooed
FLO4695699 Woman of the Caroline Islands. Queen of the Caroline Islands holding a leaf parasol, her limbs tattooed. Handcoloured stipple engraving from Frederic Shoberl's The World in Miniature

Native American (Timucuan) tattooed chief in painted deerskin robe accompanied by his wives in necklaces and sashes
FLO4621994 Native American (Timucuan) tattooed chief in painted deerskin robe accompanied by his wives in necklaces and sashes, and two servant boys with fans

Ancient Briton with spear and shield, naked Caledonians with woad tattoos, and Queen Boudica with wooden chariot
FLO4623100 Ancient Briton with spear and shield, naked Caledonians with woad tattoos, and Queen Boudica with wooden chariot

Morai or cemetery with carved wooden idols on the island of Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, Polynesia, circa 1800
FLO4576954 Morai or cemetery with carved wooden idols on the island of Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, Polynesia, circa 1800

Portrait of Te Kewiti, son of Te Kauwain, young chief of the Maori Ngate Watnas, New Zealand
FLO4605300 Portrait of Te Kewiti, son of Te Kauwain, young chief of the Maori Ngate Watnas, New Zealand, and portrait of a tattooed Maori, New Zealander, drawn in London by Agasse

Acadian man with tattooed body and a couple of native Canadian Indians. Lithography for the book
FLO4635451 Acadian man with tattooed body and a couple of native Canadian Indians. Lithography for the book: " Galerie complete en tableaux fideles des peuples d'Amerique et

The wrestler in costume with tassles and wrist bands. Lithograph by unknown artist with stencil handcolouring
FLO4684527 The wrestler in costume with tassles and wrist bands. Lithograph by unknown artist with stencil handcolouring from " Nos Travestis" (Our Fancy Dress Costumes), Paris

Family of Kamchatka (Russia) - Kamtchadal family with man in hooded coat, woman in animal fur with extensive tattoos
FLO4724085 Family of Kamchatka (Russia) - Kamtchadal family with man in hooded coat, woman in animal fur with extensive tattoos, and child in fur bodysuit - Handcoloured woodcut by M

Native of the coast of MOZAMBIQUE. Engraving 1885
JAB4121700 Native of the coast of MOZAMBIQUE. Engraving 1885; (add.info.: Native of the coast of MOZAMBIQUE. Engraving 1885); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Ani Matikino
2910303 Ani Matikino; (add.info.: 1882 Ani Matikino (Maori with face tattoos) photograophed in New Zealnd 1882.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Heta Te Haara
2910299 Heta Te Haara; (add.info.: 1880 Heta Te Haara, Ohaeawai (Maori chief with face tattoos) photograophed in New Zealnd 1880.); Universal History Archive/UIG

A Woman from the Land of Eskimos, 1826 (oil on fabric)
XOS5879728 A Woman from the Land of Eskimos, 1826 (oil on fabric) by Cogniet, Leon (1794-1880); 62.9x57.2 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: Painting by Leon Cogniet)

Cabinet Card of a tattooed woman, "Belle femme Avec Tattouages", Paris c.1890 (photo)
5910504 Cabinet Card of a tattooed woman, "Belle femme Avec Tattouages", Paris c.1890 (photo); Private Collection; Prismatic Pictures

History and origins of tattooing - Ritual tattoos of a native of New Guinea Islands
5315228 History and origins of tattooing - Ritual tattoos of a native of New Guinea Islands; (add.info.: History and origins of tattooing - Ritual tattoos of a native of New Guinea Islands)

Chief Maori. in " The Peoples of the Earth" 1890
JAB5037212 Chief Maori. in " The Peoples of the Earth" 1890.; (add.info.: Chief Maori. in " The Peoples of the Earth" 1890.); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): July 1901, Necker Hospital, Monsieur Ricord, the man tattooed to christ
LUX4788256 France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): July 1901, Necker Hospital, Monsieur Ricord, the man tattooed to christ, 1901 - photo Henry; (add.info.: France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): July 1901

Woman Mondurucu, native of Brazil, 1868 (engraving)
7295217 Woman Mondurucu, native of Brazil, 1868 (engraving); Private Collection; Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Tattooed woman, Chinese beggar and Indian woman - Strong water from the Encyclopedie of Natural History: Humanite
FLO4726931 Tattooed woman, Chinese beggar and Indian woman - Strong water from the Encyclopedie of Natural History: Humanite, by Gottlieb Tobias Wilhelm (1758-1811), 1804 - Pict girl

Brahmin in turban carrying a book, and an Indian man with body painting. Handcolored copperplate engraving from Robert
FLO4704411 Brahmin in turban carrying a book, and an Indian man with body painting. Handcolored copperplate engraving from Robert von Spalart's " Historical Picture of the Costumes of

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Tattoing has been an art form that dates back centuries, with various cultures around the world embracing this unique way of self-expression. From the Dance of the N. W. Indians at the Mission of St. Jose de California in the mid-19th century to a North American Indian performing the Buffalo Bull Dance, these watercolor depictions showcase how tattoos were deeply intertwined with cultural practices. In San Jose de California, Nueva, during that same period, individuals adorned their bodies with intricate designs as a symbol of identity and belonging. The captivating images captured in these watercolors transport us back to a time when tattooing was not only an art but also held significant cultural meaning. Fast forward to 1910 and we see a black and white photograph featuring a tattooed Ifugao from Kababuyan district. This snapshot provides insight into how tattooing transcended geographical boundaries and became part of different societies worldwide. Even within theatrical performances like La Bayadere, tattoos found their place as seen on a young Hindu woman's face in an engraving from around 1850. It serves as evidence that tattoos were not limited to specific groups but rather had universal appeal across diverse communities. The image titled "Tattoo" depicts an old sailor etching an anchor onto the arm of a young cadet - showcasing how tattoos often carried symbolic meanings related to one's profession or personal journey. Lastly, we glimpse into indigenous life on Marquesas Islands through another mesmerizing watercolor from 1848. Here we witness an indigenous couple proudly displaying their traditional body art – further emphasizing how tattooing played a vital role in preserving cultural heritage throughout history. These glimpses into different eras and regions highlight the rich tapestry woven by tattooing across civilizations. Whether it be for spiritual beliefs, rites of passage or simply personal expression, tattoos have left indelible marks on humanity's collective story – forever reminding us that art can be etched onto our skin as well.