Maud Stevens Wagner, trapeze and needle virtuoso

A pioneer of modern tattooing, Maud Stevens Wagner has contributed to the feminization of tattoos and the profession of tattooing. Breaking the codes and taboos of this universe, which had been reserved for men for far too long, she became the first professional female tattoo artist in the United States at the beginning of the last century. An artist and icon of feminism, she celebrated the history of permanent ink tattooing. Portrait.

Maud Stevens Wagner: From circus to tattoo

Before Amy, Melissa or Ruby, there was Maud. Young Maud Stevens was born in Kansas in 1877 and spent her childhood on the family's farm. Not very encouraged by the idea of ​​leading a neat life as a housewife, she chose the artistic path, becoming a trapeze artist and a circus acrobat. Talented and notable, she performs at the largest fairs in the country.

Driving through Saint-Louis in 1904 on the occasion of the World's Fair, she met Gus Wagner, who modestly called himself “the most tattooed man in the world” who will make her life tremble. After years of voyaging the oceans, this hiker traveler returned to land with his body covered in tattoos. With over 200 motives, it attracts visitors who view it with the same curiosity as a three-legged man or a bearded woman.

Falling under the spell of the young artist between two performances, he undertakes a seduction operation to win her heart. But for Maud there was no question of being admitted under any circumstances. A virgin with any tattoo, she will only say yes to this first date if he promises to tattoo her and teach her the art. Gus agrees to the deal and shares his old school know-how from his travels with her. Know-how, from which he will not give up until the end of his days. Indeed, although the dermograph has already become popular, Gus is keen to work the old fashioned way, using the “hand tattoo” or “stick and poke tattoo,” in other words, the art of making a bitmap after another. Point tattoo. embroidery by hand, without using a machine. Maud's first motive begins softly with her companion writing her name on her left hand. Rather wisely. Find out more about a name tattoo.

Professional tattoo artist and leading female emancipator

Contaminated with a tattoo, she married her Gus in 1907 and a few years later gave birth to a little girl, Lotteva. Very quickly, his first tattoo was joined by butterflies, lions, snakes, birds, in short, a whole bestiary in the midst of flowers and palms that invaded his entire body from neck to feet. Moreover, Maud Wagner is no longer satisfied with her husband's needle. She got herself a tattoo, quit the circus to get tattoos, and then became the first recognized American tattoo artist.

Nomadic artists Maude and Gus travel the United States to showcase their bodies that have become true works of art. If their dealerships engage in the democratization of tattooing, the stakes will become even more important for Maud, who in the puritanical and conservative American society of the beginning of the last century spearheads a veritable little feminist revolution, daring to flaunt her eyes. in general, the body is sparsely clothed and completely covered with indelible patterns.

But apart from the show, the Wagneres continued their activities as itinerant tattoo artists. Unfortunately, if the gentleman is a hit, for Madame, despite her immense talent, clients do not crowd at the gate. At that time, tattooing was mainly a man's business, and many of them found it difficult to imagine a tattoo as a woman ... Yes, talent is not everything, and the clichés are tough. To bend them, a couple of artists decide on a trick. On flyers distributed for advertising, Maud is content to call her "Mr. Stevens Wagner" to attract clients, hoping that when faced with her job, these gentlemen will get rid of their prejudices.

Having become a recognized professional in the tattooing world when Gus died in 1941, she continued to pursue her art until her death, 20 years later. To this end, Maud created a new tandem, this time 100% female, passing on all the tricks of the craft to her daughter Lotteva, who, in turn, will pass on this legacy to future generations.