Think about paintings like Da VincisMona LisaorVan GoghsStarry Nightthey’re permanently embedded into our memories.
Their beauty and cultural significance inspires us in our everyday lives and often in ways you might not expect.
As tattoos grow increasingly popular, people are using their skin to honor art history.
The Great Wave off Kanagawaby HokusaiTattoo:Oozy
From classical busts to bold cartoons, these types of tattoos fire off the gamut in subject matter.
Some are by-the-book interpretations of an artwork while others take creative liberties.
In one version of Gustav KlimtsThe Kiss, tattooistRita Zolotukhinadepicts it with incredible accuracy.
Based onThe Creation of Adamby MichaelangeoTattoo:Phellipe Rodrigues
Others, likeOozy, alter their sources.
On his clients chest, the Seoul-based tattoo artist has visually fractured some of Da Vincis greatest works.
The result is a stunning fusion of history and modernity, all contained on the skin.
Guernicaby PicassoTattoo:Okan Uckun
Check out 29 of these museum-worthy tattoos, below.
Which ones are your favorites?
RothkoTattoo:Jamie Luna
Water Serpents Iby Gustav KlimtTattoo:Alexey Buzunov
Picasso (left) and Matisse (right)Photo credit:Cristina Folsom
Jackson PollockTattoo:Anton Senkov
Keith HarringTattoo:Megan Oliver
Starry Nightby Van GoghTattoo:Bob Price
Water Serpents IandIIby Gustav KlimtTattoo:Amanda Wachob
Frida KahloTattoo:Fredão Oliveira
Inspired by CubismTattoo:Peter Aurisch
Kim Hong DoTattoo:Oozy
Inspired by classical sculptureTattoo:Tanya De Souza-Meally
Alphonse MuchaTattoo:Natan Alexander
Wheatfield with Crowsby Van GoghTattoo:Chris Walkin
Danceby MatisseTattoo:Omegalfa Tattoo
Bananaby Andy WarholPhoto source:Postmodernism Ruined Me
PicassoTattoo:Olivia Harrison
Bicycle Wheelby Marcel DuchampTattoo:Lucas Cordeiro
Judith and the Head of Holofernesby Gustav KlimtTattoo:Ville Prinsen
Da VinciTattoo:Oozy
