Rembrandt House Museum offers tattoo sessions with Old Master designs

The Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam is hosting The Poor Man's Rembrandt Project from June 19 to 25, 2023, where four international tattoo artists will tattoo visitors using original Rembrandt etchings, his signature, or monogram. The project is named after a phrase by an old tattoo artist who called tattoos "the poor man's Rembrandt," as they are more affordable than paintings but equally valuable. The artists include Henk Schiffmacher (45-year career), Tycho Veldhoen (son of Amsterdam artist Aat Veldhoen), Rupa van Teylingen, and Timothy John Englisch. They will set up their studio in the building where Rembrandt lived from 1639 to 1658, which was a cultural hub for young artists. The museum aims to engage younger audiences, according to director Milou Halbesma. Sessions cost €100–€250 and must be booked via the museum website. The museum, built in 1606 and opened in 1911, holds about 300 works by Rembrandt and reopened in March 2023 after extensive renovation.