Forzino the Strongman

Forzino the Strongman

One of the 6 new prints I created for my solo show Wunderkabinett last week-end.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you Forzino the Strongman.

Appearing nightly at the Winter Circus (le Cirque d'Hiver) in Paris, Forzino, was, in his youth a sailor, and also a soldier in north Africa, to which his tattoos allude. The designs are based on genuine french prisoner tattoos documented by criminalogist Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne of Lyon in the 1890s.

The french below translates, approximately, as 'The Strongest Tattooed Hercules in the World, and the Most Beautiful Physique in this Genre!"

Printed for me by the marvellous Suki Hayes at the Print Block in Whitstable, the print measures 29.7 cm wide by 42 cm down (A3), and has 2 colours. It is a limited edition of 50 (although quite a few have sold already!) and is available from my Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaulBommer) at the very reasonable price of £45 plus P&P. Snatch him up whilst you may!