Some works of art touch you so deeply that you want to carry them with you forever. Literally. In this article, we profile three people who got a tattoo of an iconic work of art. From classical masterpieces to modern art, their stories reveal the personal meanings behind their choices. Why did they choose this particular work? What does it say about them?
High heel dancer and instructor & tattoo artist in Groningen.
“For me, as a high heel dancer and instructor, erotic feminine power is very important. That's exactly what this sculpture on my leg represents. In my classes, I encourage women to embrace that power and their sensuality. So when I saw a remake of the chrome female statue by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama on stage during a concert by The Weeknd, I thought: this is perfect. I really love abstract art and micro-realism. I've been a tattoo artist myself for a few years now—a remnant of lockdown boredom, during which my creativity resurfaced. I practiced a lot on myself, but now that I've progressed a bit further as an artist, I actually enjoy collecting art from other artists.”
Art dealer and owner of the Richard ter Borg gallery in Groningen
“I actually hate tattoos, but fifteen years ago I felt this one belonged with me: the letter P, from the artist collective De Ploeg. It's a tiny thing, an Art Nouveau-esque design by Alida Martens-Pott. She was married to Ploeg member George Martens. For a long time, she was the group's unknown, but she was essentially Andy Warhol 2.0. I've been collecting Ploeg art since I was fifteen, and I've been selling it since I was twenty. As a boy, I used to play on Wednesday afternoons at the Groninger Museum, where all those paintings hung. They fascinated me and sparked a kind of Groningen pride. Look, we have an inferiority complex about just about everything here, but some very special things have happened here. De Ploeg was truly at the forefront of the art world.”
Hairdresser at Moustache Barbershop in Groningen
“On my right upper arm, I have two artistic tattoos. On the outside, a portrait of Rembrandt, and on the inside, a vanitas image based on the art of Pieter Claesz, with a skull on a stack of books, a burning candle, and a flower. The image reminds me of the finiteness of existence. Not in a sinister way, but rather as a reminder to make the most of it. For me, Rembrandt represents mastery. As a painter, he made bold choices; he was very progressive for his time. His courage, his constant learning; I think that's a beautiful message. It also fits my profession, where I'm constantly confronted with new techniques and trends.”
At FORUM GRONINGEN, you can see the exhibition TATTOO, about the fascinating history and recent developments of tattooing, until January 4, 2026. The exhibition is a collaboration with Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac and Henk Schiffmacher. For more information, visit forum.nl/tattoo.
✍️ Lieke van den Krommenacker
📸 Sebastiaan Rodenhuis
This article previously appeared in KUNST. magazine #3 (pp. 41-43).