What can tattoos tell us about the history of American art styles?
Amund Dietzel is an important figure in American Traditional tattooing. Originally from Norway, he was shipwrecked in Canada in 1907. He later settled in Milwaukee where he ran a successful tattoo studio. His designs were especially popular with American servicemen during World War I and World War II. Dietzel’s influence is still seen in tattoo designs and art today.
Let's take a look
Questions to consider
Why do you think tattoos were stigmatized? What were the effects of that?
How are tattoos viewed today compared to the past? How do you think people’s views of tattoos will change in the future?
What are some other topics you think historians might be ignoring? Why is it important to study them?
Meet the historians
Get to know the historians. Each historian in this episode has a card with information about that historian.
There are 3 cards to read.
Kacie Lucchini Butcher
Public Historian
I find and share stories from the past that have shaped our present, and love showing people how cool history is!
Sergio
González
History Professor
I research and teach about the history of Latinos in the Midwest.
Amelia Klem Osterud
Librarian/Historian
I study the history of tattoos and the circus!
Quote from a historian
“I would also say that there is a lot of art out in the world that isn't in museums, and that doesn't make it less—that just makes it art not in museums.”
Amelia Klem Osterud
Episode credits
Producer
David Boffa
Hosts
Kacie Lucchini Butcher
Sergio González
Special Guest
Amelia Klem Osterud
Research and Writing
Kacie Lucchini Butcher
David Boffa
Videography
Tori Charnetzki
Kylie Compe
Ian Glodich
Additional Production Support
Amanda Roslansky
Editing
Ian Glodich
David Boffa
Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Translation Services
Rev
Educator Support Materials
David Boffa
Nick Ostrem
Jen Kobylecky
Web Design
Charles Barrows
Erika Kachama-Nkoy
Digital Content Editors
Sigrid Peterson
Mark Riechers
Web Development
John Vieth
Graphic and Motion Design
Danielle Riseley
Charles Barrows
Ian Glodich
Executive Producer
Ryan Hendricks
Director of Education
Megan Monday
Director of Television
Jon Miskowski
Project Partners
Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History
UW–Madison Libraries
Wisconsin Historical Society
Special Thanks
Alyssa McNall
Jon Reiter
Solid State Tattoo Milwaukee
Funding provided by
Timothy William Trout Education Fund
a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout
Eleanor and Thomas Wildrick Family
Focus Fund for Education
Friends of PBS Wisconsin