Gustav Klimt Inspired Tattoos For The Art Nouveau Appreciative In Your Life

Austrian artist Gustav Klimt was a controversial figure in his day, which was back in 19th century Vienna. He was known as a symbolist and a celebrated painter of the Art Nouveau movement who was fond of painting nudes.

His work was often considered very sensual, erotic even, along with being highly decorative. His style was influenced by Japanese art and his most well-known phase was one where he used gold leaf. These pictures were often mosaiced pieces that also took inspiration from Byzantine art.

He eventually became one of the most prominent members of the Vienna Secession movement and when asked about his work was quoted as saying, "Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist which alone is significant - they should look attentively at my pictures and there seek to recognize what I am and what I want."

And now tattoo artists who have recently discovered artistic creations are using his work for body art. Not only does the graphic-like Art Nouveau styling work well in ink, but the subjects with their naked flesh also chime with the flesh that the tattoos are created on. So they make for very striking pieces.

"Klimt confronted society’s prudish restrictions on our behavior and morality." says tattoo site illusion.scene360. "Tattoo artists can relate. 100 years later, contemporary tattooers are adapting his work for skin, paying homage to a kindred spirit from another lifetime."

Check out some of the stunning designs below.