Maud Wagner — The Art of Tattooing, 1907 | Vintage Photography Long Sleeve T-Shirt
MAUD WAGNER — THE ART OF TATTOOING, 1907
Before tattoos became mainstream fashion, there was Maud Wagner.
A rose in her hair. Pearls around her neck. An extraordinary collection of images covering her arms, shoulders, and chest.
Photographed in Los Angeles in 1907, Maud Stevens Wagner (1877–1961) became one of the most recognizable figures in the early history of American tattooing.
A WOMAN IN A MAN'S PROFESSION
Born in Kansas, Wagner began her career as a circus performer, working as a contortionist and aerialist.
At the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, she met Gus Wagner, a heavily tattooed performer and professional tattoo artist.
Their relationship introduced her to the craft of tattooing. She learned the traditional hand-poked technique, creating tattoos without an electric machine, even as mechanized tattooing was becoming increasingly widespread.
Together, Maud and Gus traveled across America, working at circuses, fairs, and popular entertainment venues.
At a time when tattooing was often associated with sailors, traveling performers, and working-class culture, Maud established herself as both a tattooed attraction and a practitioner of the art.
THE BODY AS AN ARCHIVE
Her famous 1907 portrait reveals an extraordinary collection of designs: animals, birds, flowers, and elaborate pictorial compositions.
Tattooing in this period was more than decoration. It could express identity, commemorate experiences, demonstrate professional skill, or transform the human body into a public spectacle.
Maud Wagner's photograph captures a moment when an old artistic practice was entering a new age of photography, popular entertainment, and modern tattoo culture.
THE DESIGN
This black long-sleeve T-shirt features a small portrait on the front and a large archival-inspired photographic composition on the back.
The understated front contrasts with the richly detailed image on the reverse, inviting a closer look at one of the most remarkable portraits in tattoo history.
READING FRAMES — WEARABLE ARCHIVES
Reading Frames explores historical photography and the stories preserved within images.
Our Wearable Archives collection brings carefully selected historical photographs into contemporary clothing, connecting photographic history with everyday visual culture.
PRODUCT DETAILS
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Black long-sleeve T-shirt
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Small photographic print on the front
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Large portrait reproduction on the back
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Produced individually on demand
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Printed and shipped by our production partner
Reading Frames — Wearable Archives
Wear a photograph. Discover its history.
More details
- 100% combed ring-spun cotton
- Lightweight fabric (4.3 oz)
- Slim fit
EU GPSR Product Information:
- Manufacturer contact information
- Name: Reading Frames
- Email: contact@support.readingframes.store
- Postal address: PO Box 5696 Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Additional information: This product is made for adults. Meets the EU REACH requirements. 2 year warranty in EEA and UK, established by Directive 1999/44/EC.
Quality Guarantee & Returns
- Quality is guaranteed. If there is a print error or visible quality issue, we'll replace or refund it.
- Because the products are made to order, we do not accept general returns or sizing-related returns.
Maud Wagner — The Art of Tattooing, 1907 | Vintage Photography Long Sleeve T-Shirt Size Guide
| Size label | Lenght | Width |
|---|---|---|
|
S
|
28
|
18 1/2
|
|
M
|
29
|
20
|
|
L
|
30
|
21 1/2
|
|
XL
|
31
|
23 1/2
|
|
2XL
|
32
|
25.6
|
