Tattooist Recreates Art History’s Greatest Paintings on the Skin of Her Clients

Tattooist Eva Karabudak (better known as Eva Krbdk) takes the phrase “body art” to a whole new level. For years, the talented creative has inked famous paintings onto her clients and infused a bit of art history into their everyday lives—for the rest of their lives. The small yet detailed pieces showcase some of the most defining works in Western art history, from Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night to Edvard Munch’s The Scream. In each fine art tattoo design, Krbdk captures the emotional essence of the work as well as the approach the artist used to bring the piece to life.

Krbdk is known for experimenting with the subject matter of her tattoos. We’ve previously marveled over her cross-stitch designs that mimic the embroidery technique on skin. And now that she has tattooed so many historical paintings, Krdbk is pushing the boundaries of this genre. In a couple of her recent works, she has placed the paintings on easels that seemingly sit atop the skin. And in the case of Frida Kahlo, Krbdk inked a meta piece—a portrait of Kahlo painting her own self-portrait. This particular direction offers a fresh perspective for the ongoing series. We're looking forward to seeing where Krbdk goes next with her fine art tattoos.

For more of Krbdk’s work, follow along on her extremely popular Instagram.

Tattooist Eva Krbdk infuses a bit of art history onto the skin of her clients.

Art History Tattoos by Eva Krbdk

“Self Portrait” and “Café Terrace at Night” by Vincent van Gogh

For years, she's created fine art tattoo designs based on famous paintings.

Art History Tattoos by Eva Krbdk

Wassily Kandinsky

Art History Tattoos by Eva Krbdk

“The Son of Man” by René Magritte

Art History Tattoos by Eva Krbdk

“The Triumph of Death” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Fine Art Tattoo Designs

“The NIght Cafe” and “The Church at Auvers” by Vincent van Gogh

Art History Tattoos by Eva Krbdk

“The Virgin” by Gustav Klimt

Art History Tattoos by Eva Krbdk

M.C. Escher

Art History Tattoos

“The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí

Art History Tattoos

“The Scream” by Edvard Munch

Fine Art Tattoo Designs

“Self Portrait” by Vincent van Gogh

Art Inspired Tattoos by Eva Krbdk

“The Garden of Earthly Delights” (detail) by Hieronymus Bosch

Art History Tattoos

“The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli and “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh

Fine Art Tattoo Designs

“A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” by George Seurat

Eva Krbdk: Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Eva Krbdk. 

Related Articles:

Classic Paintings Reimagined as Tattoos Infused with Korean Art Techniques

29 Museum-Worthy Tattoos Inspired by Art History

30+ Creative Tattoo Ideas to Inspire Your Next Bit of Body Art

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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