In Tattoo a reference is made to the biblical story of Doubting Thomas, where Christ shows his wounds to a couple of incredulous apostles. Here, it is incredulity related to a physical ‘ornament’ which is the centre of attention. This painting can be read as an ironic comment on contemporary mores, where atavistic regression has taken the place of spiritual values of a past tradition. But the image can also be understood in an opposite way: as an ironic reaction to the tradition of religious painting of this particular biblical scene (comparable to ‘Homework’). The unusual composition shows a ‘circle’ of commitment, stressing the emotional intensity which seems quite out of proportion with the object of attention – as if the painter wants to say: do pay more attention!