<p
adorned with long and dark robes and high hats or heavy hoods, the doctors of the plague used peak -shaped masks full of herbs, spices, perfumes and dry flowers of pleasant smell that “leaked” and moved away the stench of the disease.
P>
As surgical and medical knowledge advanced, such a costume was eventually deemed impractical and downright grotesque.
The image of the plague doctor abounds in Gothic folklore, a symbol of cruder times and fatal ignorance, as well as a decadent figure in the most nightmarish scenarios. For that reason, it was only a matter of time before the tattoo world enthusiastically engaged the plague doctor in ink and flesh portraits, resulting in some magnificently macabre designs.
Like something straight out of a tim burton movie, the plague doctor can be rendered in various styles, as long as the “beak” trademark remains intact. Dramatically cast in deep shadows and dark ink, or shaded in rich medieval colours, this figure is sure to send a delicious chill down the spine of those who glimpse what many once assumed was death itself.
1. linework plague doctor tattoos
Lines are an essential element of any tattoo that hopes to stand the test of time. however, many people choose to apply images that only use lines to produce images, and in the hands of a talented artist, this approach can be surprisingly effective.
An increasingly popular line style uses precise application of shading to create images reminiscent of 18th century hand-engraved lithographs. As these excellent tattoos demonstrate, this approach is especially effective for macabre images of plague doctors.
2. bad ass plague doctor technical tattoos
Some people prefer their tattoos in a simple style that eschews intricate details for bold lines; these tattoos are not for those people. Even without the use of vibrant colors, the level of detail in these plague doctor tattoos is impressive – note the excellent whip shading and the application of fine lines to create wood grain. While these tattoos are applied using a variety of styles and approaches, they are subject to the technical skill required to complete these macabre symbols of early medicine.
3. bold black traditional plague doctor tattoos
Given their monochrome color scheme, it’s no wonder many people choose to apply plague doctors with dense black ink, and the bold lines of American tradition are harnessed in these morbid designs.
These pieces also demonstrate the variety of elements that can be successfully incorporated into plague doctor tattoos. rats, lanterns, and ravens are expertly applied in bold black ink to enhance these designs and set them apart from other medieval-inspired tattoos.
4. plague doctor tattoos on upper arm
One of the most popular places for tattoos, the upper arm is still a great place for large designs. Prominent bicep and tricep musculature give artists a larger canvas than the forearm, while the higher placement on the arm gives the wearer an extra level of discretion regarding who can and cannot see their ink. .
These plague doctor tattoos are applied in a variety of styles and use different approaches: from photorealistic renderings that capture small details like textures and reflections to more illustrative pieces that use shading to create different tones. these pieces demonstrate just how successful these images can be when applied to the upper arm.
5. new wave of plague doctor tattoos
new wave, or new school, is a tattoo style characterized by vibrant colors and an approach reminiscent of animation. While many people choose a more subdued color palette that uses deep black tones, these pieces demonstrate just how successful plague doctor tattoos can be when given a full color makeover.
Several of these designs use a color scheme with lots of greens that are perfect for creating a noxious air feel to complete these medieval pestilence and death inspired tattoos.
6. mock portraits plague doctor tattoos
These are interesting tattoos that take a tongue-in-cheek approach to plague doctors by placing them in stiff poses, starched colors, and top hats that were common themes in turn-of-the-century portraiture. An interesting and playful juxtaposition is created when these elements of aristocratic fashion are applied to these morbid symbols of death and disease. While these pieces may not be to everyone’s taste, the skill and creativity involved is impressive.
7. black and gray plague doctor tattoos
For some people, colored tattoos just don’t fit their personality, and luckily for them, plague doctors are perfectly suited to a black and gray approach. These tattoos represent a variety of different styles, from black and gray portraits and lettering that border on Chicano style, to photorealistic pieces that don’t skimp on even the smallest detail. these pieces demonstrate what is possible with a talented artist, armed with black and gray ink.
8. neo-traditional plague doctor tattoos
Neo-Traditional uses the bold line work and vibrant colors of traditional American tattooing without any of the rules and limitations that the old style is known for. These tattoos are great examples of the style, with bright colors used to create a noxious green miasma, as well as incorporating other design elements like rats, roses, and lanterns. They are excellent examples of the style and the level of detail in these neo-traditional plague doctor tattoos is impressive.
plague doctor tattoo frequently asked questions
what does a plague doctor tattoo symbolize?
A growing interest in the ghoulish faces of plague doctors has continued to permeate pop culture, and the world of tattoos is no exception. The unique appearance of these medieval characters, with their distinctive gothic coats, goggles and “beaks”, has also made them popular in the world of steam punk cosplay.
Many people who choose to get plague doctor tattoos enjoy the macabre aesthetic they symbolize: their association with pestilence and death puts them at the top of the goth list, alongside edgar allen poe, trent reznor and bauhaus.
While these menacing figures have undeniable visual appeal, the plague doctors actually represented an age of ignorance in which doctors were more likely to resort to leeches and bloodletting than taking a patient’s temperature. Fortunately, plague doctors and other pre-scientific methods of medical care are no longer the standard, and these morbid figures may serve as reminders of a less evolved time when superstition and magic were the tools of the trade for so-called “doctors.”
what did the mask represent?
The masks worn by plague doctors, with their distinctive spikes and dark glasses, were used as a distancing measure to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as bubonic plague. Before modern biology and medicine were understood, disease was thought to spread through miasma, a kind of “bad air” that permeated the area around the sick and dying. plague doctors stuffed the peaks of their masks with different herbs, dried flowers, and poultices that they believed would filter out this bad air.
The ghoulish images of plague-ridden towns evoked by these masks make them popular design elements in gothic-inspired tattoos; however, in reality, they represent a time when superstition ruled and knowledge and dissent were often equated with witchcraft.
click the links below to see more galleries of cool and ghoulish tattoo concepts:
gothic tattoo designs
life and death tattoo ideas
the 71 best steampunk tattoos
