Take home a permanent souvenir with a Rembrandt tattoo in Amsterdam

WALKING around a museum gift shop can be just as exciting and intriguing as exploring the museum itself. But one museum in Amsterdam is offering a wholly unique, pretty permanent souvenir: a tattoo.

Amsterdam’s Rembrandt House Museum offers a one-of-a-kind experience to learn about the famed Dutch painter. Visitors can explore the house where he lived for nineteen years and created some of his greatest masterpieces. And then they can pop next door to get one of his artworks permanently inked into their skin.

The Poor Man’s Rembrandt Project returns in 2026

The Poor Man’s Rembrandt Project first launched in 2023 as a way to honour Rembrandt’s work, share his art with the masses in a unique way and highlight tattooing as an equally impactful art form.

Following the success of the 2023 edition, the project has returned to the museum from October 26 to November 7, 2026.

Henk Schiffmacher heads the project. With more than 45 years of experience, he is considered one of the leading tattoo artists in the world. The Amsterdam tattoo legend has published more than 20 books, exhibited his work in international museums, and has tattooed some of the world’s most famous celebrities, including Lady Gaga

Schiffmacher has reassembled a world-class team of tattoo artists, who are creating designs inspired by Rembrandt’s influential works just down the hall from the museums exhibits. The studio is set up in the museum’s modern wing, bringing contemporary tattoo art into the historic building.

How Much Does a Rembrandt tattoo cost?

Prices for the Rembrandt tattoos range from €100 to €350, with a €50 deposit required when booking. A limited number of walk-in appointments are available each day, although visitors are advised to book in advance.

The philosophy of the project lies in the idea that tattoos are “a work of art that is more affordable than a painting by one of the old masters, but no less carefully executed and selected”.

The connection between Rembrandt’s art and tattooing is also more than skin deep. Both begin with drawings and use ink to bring an image to life. While Rembrandt transferred his work onto copper plates and paper, tattoo artists use the skin as their canvas, creating a piece of art to carry for a lifetime.