I just love my latest tattoo! It’s a representation of Lola Montez. Who is she you ask? I’ve Googled her name numerous times and have written a short piece on what was on Wikipedia:
“Marie Dolores Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, Countess of Landsfeld[1] (17 February 1821 – 17 January 1861), better known by the stage name Lola Montez, was an Irish dancer and actress who became famous as a “Spanish dancer,” courtesan, and mistress of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, who made her Countess of Landsfeld. She used her influence to institute liberal reforms. At the start of the Revolutions of 1848 in the German states, she was forced to flee. She proceeded to the United States via Switzerland, France and London, returning to her work as an entertainer and lecturer.”
Notice the rose in her hair.
“Danish metal band Volbeat included a song on their album Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies about Montez. Entitled Lola Montez (song), the lyrics reference Montez’s spider dance and the incident with Henry Seekamp.”
Montez with spiders.
Who was Henry Seekamp? Wiki says: “She earned notoriety in Ballarat when, after reading a bad review in The Ballarat Times, she allegedly attacked the editor, Henry Seekamp, with a whip.
“She spent her last days in rescue work among women. In November 1859, the Philadelphia Press reported that Lola Montez was ‘living very quietly up town, and doesn’t have much to do with the world’s people. Some of her old friends, the Bohemians, now and then drop in to have a little chat with her, and though she talks beautifully of her present feelings and way of life, she generally, by way of parenthesis, takes out her little tobacco pouch and makes a cigarette or two for self and friend, and then falls back upon old times with decided gusto and effect. But she doesn’t tell anybody what she’s going to do.’ ”
I love the band Volbeat. Yes, Lola Montez was sort of a bad-ass, which I think is pretty cool. I found this skull tattoo and thought it represented her quite well. This tattoo is on my right bicep, about my roses. The tattoo came out perfect! I’m going to add more roses up to Lola and have her hair a little bit longer and flowing into the roses.
This song also reminds me of a dear friend who passed away too early from suicide. We used to blast this song and sing along as loud as we could.
I’ve seem Volbeat numerous times. One time I flew all the way to Washington state to see them play at an outdoor, 3-day concert. It was amazing! When they played ‘Lola Montez’, I called my friend and had him listen to it live. This is one of my favorite songs. So, this tattoo has a lot of meaning to me.
