Liberty the Tattooed Lady: The Great Bartholdi Statue as Depicted in Tattooing

On View: March 15, 2024-January 12, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, April 5, at 6 PM

The City Reliquary Museum and Daredevil Tattoo are proud to announce Liberty the Tattooed Lady: The Great Bartholdi Statue as Depicted in Tattooing. This new exhibition is the first devoted entirely to the history of Statue of Liberty tattoos. Through a stunning collection of vintage tattoo art–including pieces never put on public display before–it shows how the Statue of Liberty has been embraced and embodied by American tattoo artists since the turn of the century.

Since its unveiling in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has served as a symbol of New York City and the nation. Received as a gift from France to commemorate the Declaration of Independence and the abolition of slavery, Lady Liberty has long represented ideals often associated with the idea of America: freedom and liberty. Antique flash, vintage photographs, drawings, and other related objects on display in this exhibit show that Lady Liberty has been a popular subject in tattooing for as long as she’s stood in New York Harbor. 

Guests will have the opportunity to view a stunning collection of vintage tattoo art, including pieces that have never been on public display before. The history of Lady Liberty in tattoo art is told through a stunning collection of antique flash, vintage photographs, drawings, stencils, paintings and other related objects. 

This exhibition brings together artifacts from some of the most legendary tattooers of the early twentieth century, including–but not limited to–Bert Grimm, Owen Jensen, Dainty Dotty, Lou Normand, and Ralph Johnson. 

This exhibition was curated by Michelle Myles of Daredevil Tattoo Shop & Museum.