Tattoos and Body Art in Europe - Various Artists

Tattoos and Body Art in Europe

Various Artists

Circa 2000 BC – Present

Human Skin

Various Human Beings

Art in Europe has taken many forms on many different mediums.  Perhaps one of the most common and contextualized forms of art is the tattoo.  Tattoos are also one of the oldest forms of art.  Tattoos were first documented as an art form present in Europe by Julius Caesar in his Gallic Wars.  In the 14^th chapter of his 5^th book, Caesar records, “All the Britains, indeed, dye themselves with wood, which occasions a bluish color, and thereby have a more terrible appearance in fight.”  When the Romans were pushing north and west into Europe, they encountered Celtic people who had a tradition of tattooing themselves in order to appear fiercer in battle.  The Celts date back as far as 2000 BC and settled where the United Kingdom and Ireland are located today.  These markings were intended for more than just battle, however.  To the Celtic people, tattoos carried representation of the gods they worshipped.  These designs were circular and continuous patterns interweaved.  The method in which these patterns interacted determined

            In the Common Era, tattoos became uncommon throughout Europe.  Body art was associated with lower classes and criminals.  It wasn’t until European explorers discovered tattoos on South and Central Pacific islands that tattoos came back to fad.  Inhabitants of these islands were brought back to Europe, where royalty admired the intricate patterns engraved into the skin of these indigenous peoples.  By the 18^th and 19^th centuries, tattoos were a part of the seafarer’s culture.  It is also rumored that tattoos were popular among European royalty.  The Romantic ideologies of this era valued the exotic, and royalty had the money to support these interests.  Tattoos tended to represent family ties and the coat of arms. 

            In the 20^th century, tattoos developed a new wave of popularity.  Many youth found tattoos attractive and individualistic.  From the 1960’s and onward, tattoos became commonplace on people of all classes.  The subjects of body art varied, and in this way, the art becomes very contextualized.  One might see a tattoo on another’s body, but not understand what the meaning of the tattoo has.  Tattoos have thence become extremely private and ambiguous works of art.  Even the artists who apply the tattoos may not understand what the meaning of their art is.  Tattoos, through European influence, have also spread to the Western Hemisphere. 

            The contextualization of tattoos can be seen through the tattoo of Robina (Robin) Heft, an American from Los Angeles, California.  On Robin’s left rib cage is a tattoo that reads, “Consider the lilies”.  This phrase comes directly from Matthew 6:28, a selection from the Bible (English Standard Version).  This phrase has particular meaning for Robin because of its relevance through a situation that she endured.  A few years ago, a student made false accusations against her father and a SWAT team raided Robin’s family’s house.  At this point in her life, Robin felt a lot of stress and confusion. 

            The day that a SWAT team raided Robin’s house, she had to go to work.  While at work, Robin was overcome by the events, and broke down.  A coworker offered to pray with her, and in his prayer he quoted Matthew 6:28.  For the next year, Robin consistently read this Bible verse.  In this time, God spoke wisdom into her life through the verse.  

            When Robin decided to have this phrase tattooed into her skin, much thought went into the placement and phrasing of the verse.  At first, Robin wanted to have the tattoo placed on her shoulder so that it could be more visible to others.  However, she decided to place it on her left rib cage instead for several reasons.  When she was young, Robin used to cut herself.  Her left rib cage was the best place for this because it was hidden and opposite of her right hand.  In order to represent the redemptive nature of God’s love, she had the tattoo placed over this area.  Her rib cage is also hidden, but still visible as Robin gets dressed and a constant reminder for her not to worry about the trivialities of life. 

            As Robin was deciding the details of the tattoo, she wasn’t sure which of two different translations from which to borrow the phrase.  One translation said “Consider the lilies…”, but another said “Consider the wildflowers…”  Robin wanted to show the impact that her best friend, Evelyn, has had on the decisions she makes in life, and so asked for Evelyn’s opinion.  Evelyn chose the phrase that is now engraved in Robin’s skin. 

            As one can see, tattoos are an art form that not only are beautiful to sight, but also have beautiful stories behind the art.  This contextualization provides a deeper meaning that helps one understand the true meaning and beauty behind the art.  As with all art, there is good and bad art.  The good art can be distinguished by the intentionality of the placement and subject matter.  Body art that has been considered art, throughout history, is art that has contextualized meaning.

Report by Benjamin Mills - 2015