Practiced worldwide for thousands of years. Its origin is very difficult to trace because it is very old. The oldest tattoo dating back to 5300 BC.C. Found on the legs of a Neolithic trapped in the ice. This technique is used by many peoples and for various reasons: therapeutic, religious or decorative. Its purpose has evolved a lot since then. Today, all social classes are concerned and all reasons are good to get tattooed.
Long frowned upon…
After its medicinal or religious aims, tattooing has served to differentiate oneself, to marginalize oneself. Made possible thanks to the voyage of James Cook and his crew in 1769 to Tahiti. They appropriated the techniques of these "first" tattooed men. The practice is spreading throughout Western countries. Sailors had a tradition of getting tattoos at every stopover. It was also sadly used to markslaves or prisoners as during the Second World War, prisoners who remained on the camps or who were transferred were forcibly tattooed to facilitate their identification.
An innovation that revolutionizes the world of tattooing
It was in 1891 that the first electric machine was designed by Samuel O'Reilly. It will revolutionize the world of tattooing. This is the material used by the majority of professional tattoo artists today. This advance professionalizes the practice and makes tattooing more accessible. Accessible, certainly, but confined to certain populations. For several decades, bikers, inmates or even gangs formed almost the bulk of tattoo enthusiasts, contributing to the stigmatization of tattooed people. This is why even today many prejudices remain and tattoos can have a bad reputation.
Today's tattoo
Despite deep-seated prejudices, the practice has evolved and is recognized as an art form in its own right. Statesmen, lawyers and even mothers can be tattooed. Some tattoo artists are real stars such as the French Tintin, president of the SNAT (Union of Tattoo Artists) and tattoo artist recognized worldwide. Organizer of the Mondial du Tattoo fair every year in Paris. A true meeting place for amateurs and professionals, it brings together hundreds of talented artists from all over the world.
Come and admire the 10th art.
