Henk Schiffmacher gives tattoos at the Rembrandt House: 'This is the only art you take to the grave'
Tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher is collaborating with the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam to tattoo famous etchings onto clients as part of The Poor Man’s Rembrandt Project. This initiative features both intricate back pieces and smaller designs, aiming to make classical art more accessible to the public during Museum Night.
Tattoo legend Henk Schiffmacher and his studio, Schiffmacher & Veldhoen, have partnered with the Rembrandt House Museum for a unique initiative called The Poor Man’s Rembrandt Project. In anticipation of Museum Night, the studio is tattooing classic Rembrandt etchings onto clients, including a large reproduction of The Descent from the Cross covering the entire back of film school graduate Bo Kwakernaak. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between traditional museum art and tattoo culture, making historical works more accessible to a modern audience while showcasing the artistry of skin-based masterpieces.
Beyond the large back piece, the tattoo team has set up a temporary studio inside the museum, where visitors can get smaller Rembrandt-inspired designs. The project has garnered significant international media attention, drawing fans from across Europe. Schiffmacher notes that while he carefully adapts the detailed etchings for the skin to ensure they age well, the process remains a tribute to his lifelong admiration for the Dutch master. The partnership highlights a creative approach to museum engagement, turning human skin into a living gallery of classical art.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
