June 23rd, 2021

60 Gruesome Guillotine Tattoos

Off with their heads!

These days, the death penalty is still a highly debated topic around the world. However, back in the day, it was an exceptionally common practice. Executions were a public affair, bringing together a town’s people to observe and partake in the spectacle. And without a doubt, one of the most popular methods of execution was the guillotine.

A guillotine consists of a tall, upright frame with a weighted, angled blade suspended from the top. They’re used for beheading, with the person attached to the stocks at the bottom and their neck angled below the blade. When the blade is released, it comes down and decapitates the person in one clean pass. Guillotines are most often associated with France, particularly during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution. In 1981, France abolished the use of capital punishment, with the last person to be executed by guillotine dying in 1977.

Take a peek at 60 of the most impressive guillotine tattoos from talented tattoo artists around the world in the gallery below. These tattoos range from stunning black-and-grey to bold traditional to delicate fine line. Then let us know your favorite tattoos from this list in the comments section on social media.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@emilymarytattooer)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by NYC (@ryanlejarde)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Darby Robertson (@darbytattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tayler Millise (@ladyreaperink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@oddclaudtattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Marcela Tavarez Boeta (@emetb)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chase Tucker (@chasetuckertattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@loriscurti)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by THOMAS E (@thomasetattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ø (@luciferandleviathans)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by JuhoPdc (@juhopdc)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by T H E S T E I N W A Y (@orastein)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chris_Spriggs (@chrisspriggs)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@sadknivestattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ~ ‘ ~ (@sangdabril)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chase Tucker (@chasetuckertattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bleak Meek$ (@everythingwentblake)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ⚰ ⚰ (@deathspi_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Liz Marie (@ladysealegs)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dirk-Fuckin’-Vermin (@dirkvermin)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by NINTH WAVE TATTOO (@ninthwavetattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@tashaterror)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sydney Pflaumer (@metacogniti0n)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kasha Burrows (@foragertattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alexis Haskett (@kawaii_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@neoncaves)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Arron Lewis (@fillerbunny13)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by JORDY RIOS (@cruz_de_navaja)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DAN BYTHEWOOD (@danbythewood)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maia Forster (@maia_forster)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@bethany_tattoo_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Joe Mallard (@joemallardtattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Julia Neely (@julianeelyislame)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Brent Boller (@brent_boller)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dan Duquette (@danduquettetattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Luke Barnes (@_lukebarnes_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by black tattoo / BLKTTT (@blkttt)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gon Ω (@demogordogon)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @skull_and_snake

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@okc_badam)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by mélancolink (@melancolink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sojung Yeon (@goatblackeyed)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by deseo (@_deseo_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✣ ✣ (@racheltruskotattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattoo Collectors (@tttcollector)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Katy Wiedemann (@katy.wiedemann)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alex Duquette (@alexduquettetattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cassie Lynn O’Neal (@cassietattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@staceygreentattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Death Cloak®️ (@death_cloak)

Editor's Picks

Heartless Ink Banner Art
Bridging Classical Art and Modern Tattooing

Esteban Rodriguez brings the discipline of classical fine art to the living canvas of skin, creating hyper-realistic tattoos that merge technical mastery with emotional depth.

Show your Ink Fashions Fashion
Show Your Ink Fashions Brings Custom Style to Tattoo Culture

Show Your Ink Fashions creates custom shirts designed to showcase your tattoos as wearable art, blending fashion with personal expression.

Culture
The Ultimate “Superman” Tattoo Roundup: Just in Time for Superman’s Return to Screens

With Superman’s big return to theaters, fans are revisiting some of the most iconic ink inspired by the Man of Steel.

diplo_cover