Tuesday, February 9, 2010

David gets a Jesus tattoo to add to his multi-faith collection

With at least 17 tattoos already adorning his body, David Beckham is rapidly running out of space.

Yet when the footballer's grandfather Joe West died, he felt the need to pay tribute to him in the only way he knows how - by going under the needle again.

Beckham, 34, had a black-and-white image of Christ drawn on his right side, based on a painting called The Man Of Sorrows by Catholic artist Matthew R. Brooks.

Artwork: David's latest piece is inspired by The Man of Sorrows painting by Matthew R. Brooks

Quite what 83-year-old Mr West, who was Jewish, would have made of its Christian theme is open to conjecture.

The latest tattoo was revealed to the world at the weekend when Beckham removed his shirt in triumph following his team AC Milan's 3-0 victory over Juventus.

Mr West was the father of Beckham's mother Sandra.

David Beckham
2000-2002: David Beckham's back is almost a blank canvas with just his first son's name - a couple of years later he has a guardian angel and second son Romeo's name across his shoulders

2000-2002: David Beckham's back is almost a blank canvas with just his first son's name - a couple of years later he has a guardian angel and second son Romeo's name across his shoulders

2003: The England star shows off his forearm tattoos

2003: The England star shows off his forearm tattoos

Beckham was particularly close to him and often cited him as his footballing inspiration.

He died when Beckham was in South Africa at the draw for this summer's World Cup.

The devastated star had the tattoo installed almost immediately after his return to the UK.

2004: Beckham's neck tattoo can be seen prior to England's three-nation tournament soccer match against Japan in the City of Manchester Stadium

2004: Beckham's neck tattoo can be seen prior to England's three-nation tournament soccer match against Japan in the City of Manchester Stadium

David Beckham
2006-2008: The former Manchester United star's body art spreads down his arms incorporating the existing work

2006-2008: The former Manchester United star's body art spreads down his arms incorporating the existing work. On his right shoulder, there's an angel with the text 'In the face of adversity'

It was etched by Louis Milloy, of Middleton Tattoo Studio in Manchester, who has been Beckham's chosen illustrator since he was a young player at Manchester United in the late 1990s.

The design is the England footballer's third depicting Christian imagery. He has a crucifix on the back of his neck, just above a guardian angel located between his shoulders.

2008: David shows off his Mandarin tattoo which he had done while he was on tour in Hong Kong

2008: David shows off his Mandarin tattoo which he had done while he was on tour in Hong Kong

2009: Both of Beckham's arms are almost fully covered and all of his son's names have been added to his back

2009: Both of Beckham's arms are almost fully covered and all of his son's names have been added to his back

Beckham has previously revealed a certain vagueness about faiths.

Following the birth of his first son, he said: 'I definitely want Brooklyn to be Christened but I don't know into what religion yet.'

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