Sutherland Macdonald: The Michelangelo of Victorian Tattooing
www.dannydutch.com
In the heart of Victorian London, amidst a society obsessed with propriety, decorum, and rigid social structures, an unusual profession emerged—one that was simultaneously artistic, controversial, and utterly fascinating. Sutherland Macdonald, Britain’s first professional tattoo artist, carved out a unique place for himself in history, pioneering an industry that would go on to become a global phenomenon.Tattooing in the late 19th century was not an entirely alien practice in Britain. The influe
The original post: /r/utterlyuniquephotos by /u/dannydutch1 on 2025-03-11 21:34:10.

Original Title: A few examples of tattooist Sutherland Macdonald’s work. By 1889 he had set himself up in a studio in the Hamam Turkish Baths at 76 Jermyn Street, a very fashionable address in London. His skill and reputation attracted a clientele that included some of the most prominent figures of the era.