Amsterdam Museum extends successful mini-expo ‘Merchant with tattoo’

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The discovery of a tattoo on the wrist of a merchant in a 17th-century painting caused a stir at the end of last year. In recent months, visitors could see this historical tattoo for themselves, in a small display at Huis Willet-Holthuysen. Due to great enthusiasm from media and public, this mini-expo is now extended until 30 August 2026.

In late 2025, the Amsterdam Museum made a world discovery that was picked up big by Dutch and foreign media. During an inspection of the painting The High Commissioners of the Walloons conservator Liesbeth Abraham discovered a tattoo on the inside of the left wrist of one of the people portrayed. And not just any old one: it turns out to be the earliest known depiction of a tattoo in Western European painting. Amsterdam-based master tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher, who has extensive knowledge of the history of tattoos, immediately joined the research.

The chief commissioners of the Walloons, attributed to Wallerant Vaillant, 1674

Tattoo action

The small presentation ‘Merchant with tattoo’ at Huis Willet-Holthuysen reflects this investigation into questions such as: ‘How did a wealthy merchant come to put a tattoo on his wrist?’ and ‘What does the tattoo actually represent?’ The display also includes some objects from Schiffmacher's own collection. Due to the great interest in this fascinating find, the mini-expo is now being extended. And there is more: last December, five lucky visitors as well as Douwe Bob were allowed to receive Schiffmacher's own historical tattoo before the painting. This action is now being repeated. Visitors can now once again leave their motivation to receive a tattoo at Huis Willet-Holthuysen - and who knows, maybe a piece of history will soon adorn their own wrist.