Mundurucu began with a book.
While researching the history of tattooing and body decoration, I became fascinated by the people behind the images: their traditions, beliefs, appearance and ways of life.
What started as research for a book grew into a personal collection of historical photographs, drawings and illustrations, gathered from museums, archives and people around the world.
My research resulted in several publications, including World of Tattoo and a number of tattoo design books. But I felt these remarkable images deserved a place beyond the pages of a book.
That is why I created Mundurucu.
A glimpse into another time
What fascinates me most about these historical images is the opportunity to see how people once lived. How they dressed, decorated their bodies, celebrated, worked and expressed their beliefs. How communities preserved traditions passed down through generations.
Many images capture societies at moments when contact with the outside world was beginning to transform their way of life.
Over time, traditions evolved, some were adapted, and others disappeared. Sometimes through cultural exchange and choice, at other times through colonisation, conflict or force.
Of course, cultures never stand still. They continue to develop, and many traditions represented in these images remain alive today.
Why this matters
I believe future generations should have the opportunity to discover this extraordinary diversity of human life.
An old photograph is more than a picture. It can reveal something about identity, craftsmanship, beauty, spirituality or everyday life. It reminds us how much has changed and how much we can still learn from the past.
Historical images do not tell the whole story. They often reflect the perspectives of the photographers, travellers or researchers who made them. But when preserved and placed in context, they become valuable pieces of our shared history.
We cannot bring the past back. But we can make sure it is not forgotten.
Mundurucu is my way of preserving and sharing these images, so that people today, and generations still to come, can explore the richness of cultures around the world.
Maarten HesseltFounder of Mundurucu