The amount of creativity in tattoos is awe-inspiring. There are tattoos for nearly everybody, even sister tattoos to make a sisterly bond even stronger. Tattoos are about expressing yourself and if you love art and appreciate it, art tattoos inspired by famous works of art is a match made in heaven.
Even if you already have a tattoo design in mind, you’ll be inspired by how classic art can transform it. The following 22 people found ways to incorporate their favorite paintings into classical art tattoos they can call their own.
1) “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Hokusai
Instagram / @daanroukens
The Great Wave off Kanagawa tattoo that is as colorful as the original.
2) “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci
Instagram / @mr.k_tattoo
A Mona Lisa tattoo doesn’t need to look exactly like the painting to look terrific. This modern take on the original looks great.
3) Tattoo inspired by The Starry Night and Fight Club
Instagram / @serkandemirboga
A creative mashup tattoo featuring The Starry Night and the ending scene of the movie “Fight Club.”
4) Popular works by Leonardo da Vinci
Instagram / @oozy_tattoo
This is one of my favorites and the black and grey tones brings a whole new dimension to these infamous paintings.
5) “Water Serpents I” by Gustav Klimt
Instagram / @alexeybuzunov
A modern take on this Water Serpents tattoo makes the colors dance with the added contrast of a dark triangle.
6) Frida Kahlo
Instagram / @fredao_oliveira
A fabulous black and grey Frida Kahlo tattoo that is full of interesting geometric shapes.
7) “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli
Instagram / @oozy_tattoo
Everything about this Birth of Venus is impressive and the shading is unbelievable.
8) “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso
Okan Uckun
I don’t know what to say. These Guernica tattoos are simply breathtaking.
9) “The Elephants” by Salvador Dali
Instagram / @bonbonbizarre
The amount of detail in this Elephants tattoo is impressive and the black and grey ink brings a certain elegance.
10) “Impression, Sunrise” by Claude Monet
Instagram / @luca fedato
This “Impression, Sunset” tattoo is so impressive it actually looks like an oil painting instead of a tattoo. Simply amazing!
11) “The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo
Instagram / @phelliperodriguess
An awesome Creation of Adam tattoo that proves this painting can be just as impressive without color.
12) “Water Serpents I” and “Water Serpents II” by Gustav Klimt
Instagram / @amandawachob
A Water Serpents tattoo that requires the full back to truly give it justice. The colors are jaw-dropping and I can’t imagine how long it must have taken to create this masterpiece.
13) “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh
Instagram / @tattooinspirink
A creative tattoo with flowers blooming out of a heart and features elements of The Starry Night.
14) “The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo
Facebook / lukas zglenicki
Another great example of geometric shapes blended with a classic in this Creation of Adam tattoo.
15) “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Hokusai
Instagram / @oozy_tattoo
Another great The Great Wave off Kanagawa tattoo that showcases amazing detail and tone.
16) “Le Chat” by Pablo Picasso
Instagram / @ladybird_tattoos
This Le Chat tattoo is a beautiful replica of the original painting and a great choice for cat AND art lover’s.
17) “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt
Instagram / @rit.kit.tattoo
The Kiss tattoo featuring an impressive amount of detail and impressive use of colors.
18) “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh
Instagram / @thinkbeforeuink
A Starry Night tattoo that foregoes color and looks just as magnificent as the painting.
19) Tattoo inspired by Jackson Pollock
Instagram / @anton senkou
Artist Jackson Pollock was recognized for his unique style of drip painting and this tattoo is the perfect tribute.
20) “Primrose” by Alphonse Mucha
The human body is the perfect canvas for this stunning recreation of “Primrose” and this tattoo is beyond beautiful.
21) “The Times of the Day” by Alphonse Mucha
Instagram / @evakrbdk
A beautiful replica of the original in this Times of the Day tattoo.
22) “Nola Girl with Umbrella” by Banksy
An awesome recreation of Banksy’s work on this Nola Girl with Umbrella tattoo.
The amount of work and detail in these impressive art tattoos required an equally impressive tattoo artist. Please share these classic art tattoos with your friends and family.
