V

the art and its masters

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STOP and ponder on the many American tattoodesigns. At first they may seem crude and primitive Glossar ::: zum Glossareintrag  primitive. Theyhave no greatness. But soon you discover a certain charm intheir line, and this impression once acquired never leavesyou. For you discover the spirit of art as understood and en-joyed by the folk- masses of America: the sailors, the soldiers,the day- laborers, the farm- hands, the cowboys, the miners, theloggers, the hoboes- and their sweethearts and sometimeswives. The tattoo- medium caters to their feeling for primi-tive Glossar ::: zum Glossareintrag tive pathos and simple sentimentality.

See this blue sailor kneeling down before a red tombstone,his head dolefully bare and bent, one hand clutching his hat,the other holding a dark- green flower. Read the inscriptionon the tombstone:" My Dear Mother." What mother- bereftseaman could withstand the inevitable temptation of order-ing this fresco to be etched on his brave chest, next to thecustomary crucifix" Rock of Ages," which, as is well known,protects the tar from all general mishaps? Regard these pigsand roosters which seamen have engraved on their feet- grandand sure- working precaution against drowning. You will also

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