Painted Ladies.

In preparation for my practical work. I'll be putting some information from this article, to assist me in answering my question. This information will all revolve around the painted lady attraction of the old American sideshows, commonly known as freak shows. It is my belief that this is where the negative feelings towards heavily tattooed women originated.



Irene Woodward (1862-1915)
Irene was tattooed by Martin Hildebrandt after being inspired by a tattooed man named Captain Constentenus in Denver. At the age of 20 she was hired by dime museum owner George B Bunnell, where her debut show was published in the New York time due to the hype that surrounded it. From 1883-1898 she performed in circuses including 'The Greatest Show on Earth'.





Nora Hildebrandt (1857-1893)


Nora was a painted lady from London and it's probable that she emigrated to the US to become a servant. She was inked by Martin Hildebrandt with whom she had a common-law marriage and decided to take his name, she worked for Forepaugh shows during the 1880s.





Artoria Gibbons (1893-1985)


Gibbons was inked by her husband who chose to cover her in religious symbols, she was working as a tattooed lady by the 1920s. In the 1970s she became the finale of the Hall&Christ sideshow in which she was branded a 'Man-made monstrosity'.


Annie Howard [Picture unavailable] (Dates Unknown)


Annie became 'famous' in 1882 when she was arrested on a ferry for punching a man who insulted her tattooed arms. She was hired by Bunnell (see above) after this and toured the dime museums. Her whereabouts after the tour of the dime museums are unknown.