Image collection

In the 1930s, tattoos were particularly common among sailors, soldiers and circus performers in Western countries. This period also saw the development of classic motifs: anchors, swallows, hearts and daggers were popular. The art of tattooing was not yet socially accepted at the time and was mostly restricted to marginalised groups, but the fascination with body art grew steadily. The images compiled here show how deeply rooted and at the same time rebellious the tattoo was in the culture of the time - an expression of identity, experiences and also of protest against social norms. (luk)