About this item
- Also known as Estensi Tarot
Specifications
Name
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Golden Tarot of the Renaissance
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Alternate Names
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Estensi Tarot
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Creators
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Giordano Berti,
Jo Dworkin
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Publisher
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Lo Scarabeo 2004
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Deck Type
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Tarot Deck
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Cards
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78
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Major Arcana
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22
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Minor Arcana
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56
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Deck Tradition
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Italian
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Minor Arcana Style
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Unique Scenes With Suit Symbols
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Chalices, Swords, Wands, Pentacles
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Court Cards
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Knave, Knight, Queen, King
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Major Titles
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The Fool
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is 0
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Strength
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is 11
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Justice
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is 8
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Card Size
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2.60 x 4.72 in. = 6.60cm x 12.00cm
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Card Language
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Spanish, Italian, German, French, English
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Card Back
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Reversible
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Back Design
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A kneeling male figure from one of the cards is reproduced twice in monochrome dark taupe with a narrow fleur-de-lis border
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Companion Material
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Little white booklet in English, Italia, German, Spanish, French.
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Reviews
whom Love defeats and subjugates
No strong arm, no audacity,
no blade well-honed, no shield or mail,
no other poet can avail
for in the end, Love conquers all.
Matteo Maria Boiardo
circa 1494
Above, the courtly tarocchi poet of Ferarra was writing to his second chosen patron, Duke Ercole D'Este, with encouragement from courtly ladies that included the Duchess of Mantua, Ercole's daughter. The epic poem Orlando in Love (Innomorato) and poet was rediscovered and celebrated in 1994 with various conferences and even a tarocchi game.
Some five hundred and ten years after Boiardo's death, the Estensi Tarot is to be relased in 2004. This a golden tribute to romance and destiny, a revival of a supposed Ferrarese courtly game. While Boiardo and the courts of the Estensi developed various games of poetry and gilded cards, the original cards inspiring this deck--now housed in Paris--have not been attributed to any Estensi ruler. Sixteen of the cards had been misnamed "Charles VI" from a mistake by a 19th century historian. Other suggested points of North Italian origin are attributed to the deck, which might include Milan or Venice, depending on the historian. However the abilities of the Ferrarese goldsmiths and styles of art and costume circa 1470-1490 point to this area of Northern Italy.
In the spirit of tribute to Estensi origins, Giordano Berti wrote design instructions for the majors and minors of this deck. I found the 16 restored cards in the deck close in color to the aged originals as seen in art history books and catalogs. Note that the structure of the deck is traditional Italian, which means Justice is the eighth trump and Strength is the eleventh trump.
I have yet to identify the models for five of the newly designed majors not found in the original deck. These are the High Priestess, Empress, Wheel, Devil and Star.
There's a humorous bent in the Wheel, which has a satirical two-legged donkey climbing with the motto "I will reign". A four-legged donkey on the top of the wheel braying that he is reigning. The young man descending the wheel and the old man laying at the bottom of the wheel also have appropriate mottoes.
The Devil has a pair of shorts with a wicked mask attached in front. The Stars is also a likeable design of a young Venus holding a long arrow. Small fish and seashells and a distant ship accompany her. An eight-pointed star glistens above her.
The minors are also a fascinating puzzle to me. However I've matched about 44 of the 16 courts and 40 suited cards from the Schifanioa Palace frescoes. Berti briefly touches why he chose the fresco designs in the little white booklet (LWB). His small discussion of the history and outline of the deck is fascinating to me. I wish for more details from the ever-poetic Berti.
Berti directed the artist based on the historic Schifanioa frescoes in Ferarra, painted by major artists of the Ferarrese school circa 1469-1472.
Let me elaborate a bit more on the history of the frescos and their significance from my resources.
The artists Cosme Tura, Francesco Cossa and portrait painter Baldassarre D'Este (who was hired by Duke Borso to repaint the faces) painted allegorical figures, triumphal carts and astrological decans in tribute to the Duke. Borso used the Schifanioa Palace as a private residence and a hunting lodge. Borso throughout his long reign was vying for the blessed favor of being appointed the ducal crown by the Pope and exemption from paying tribute to Rome.
I had bought a few out-of-print art history books of the Schifanioa frescoes ever since I had begun a personal study of tarocchi verses and epic poetry of Matteo Maria Boiardo. His writing is said to have been influenced by the art of the time. He had access to the Duke's private library. The frescoes would have been quite often in sight during Boiardo's close association with the Estensi family. The frescoes are a vibrant surviving example of art that is rich with astrology, triumphs and allegory.
Now to the deck...what do I like about it? Aside from the associated history?
The restoration done using watercolors related to the 16 majors and the aged Schifanioa frescoes in comparison has a softer look, with fresh colors. The cards to me are more romantic and appealing. A modern deck based on old designs, suitable for play.
People have told me they enjoyed the Animal Lords for their delight with similar themes in stories from Beatrix Potter. They enjoy the funny associations of the Bosch and Bruegal or the colorful artistry of the Vikings. I've longed for an affordable tarot that reflected my passion for Italianate art and poetry of the late Medieval to early Renaissance period. I also happened to delight on Ferrarese bits and pieces, so this deck is a personal 'theme' favorite. Plus, it's gilded in a beautiful, delicate way that shows the soft watercolors to their advantage.
Already I've looked at more poetry and art of Ferrara, delved deeper into such subjects with more pleasure. For instance, I see the six of swords, traditionally a journey across water or a crossing, as defined in a Rider Waite Smith deck. This is given the meaning "Dangerous but necessary choice." This Continental style traditional meaning from Lo Scarabeo has added depth. From my art resources, I see the Six of Swords detail from the fresco is the Ferrarese interpretation of Persphone being transported by Hades to the Underworld.
There's more romantic notes, from the celebrating couples of the Lovers to the kissing couple in the page of cups to the golden-haired page of swords with his raised swords and white charger.
However there is also reflective pauses and pathos in this deck. The nine of cups is Pomona, an old-fashioned fertility goddess half-covered in leaves. The two of wands is the unclothed, dying Atys, punished for his unfaithfulness, from the fresco in the upper band of July. Most of these allegories are romantic stories, a strong theme in the poetry and art that I like from Ferrara.
In terms of divination, the deck booklet does talk of using a horoscope spread. Berti suggests that the Schifanioa frescoes had astrological significances to Borso. The D'Estensi are noted in history for astrological superstition, so this would be appropriate. However since I am still studying these personages and settings, I cannot suggest anything to modern astrology students.
Let me instead close with thanks to interested readers and seekers of this pretty deck of what I believe is the strength of these 78 pictures:
"Love rained on earth from all the spheres, and gladdened gentle souls, breathing sweet fire in every part; and daring youths and manly hearts, without any wrath and without any war; were seen everywhere donning arms; and the ladies in festivities, in gladness, in sport, in winsome dances, in sweet songs; everywhere happy loves, gallant folk, jocund merrymaking. This goodly city will be no more, methinks and never was before so flowering with honor, beauty and deck round with such delight..."
Canzoniere, Matteo Maria Boiardo Translation: Edmund G. Gardner, Painters of the School of Ferrara, p. 35, Chapter III: Francesco Del Cossa:The Frescos of the Schifanioa,
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