Mantegna Tarot

The , also known as the Tarocchi (Tarot) Cards, Tarocchi in the style of Mantegna, Baldini Cards, are two different sets each of fifty 15th-century Italian old master prints in engraving, by two different unknown artists. The sets are known as the E-series Tarocchi Cards and the S-series Tarocchi Cards (or E series, e-series etc.), and their artists are known as the “Master of the E-series Tarocchi” and the “Master of the S-series Tarocchi”. There are also a number of copies and later versions. Despite their name, they are educational visual aids, showing personifications of social classes or abstractions.

Quotes

 * From "EXSTATICA: Unleash the Transformative Sparkles of the Renaissance Mantegna Tarot" (2021) is a book that explains the history and meaning of the Mantegna Tarot

Mantegna Tarot Sphere I. "Behaviour"

 * "The Mantegna Tarot cards of this sphere are focused on human conditions, presenting them as professional roles a person can have in society. The Renaissance was hierarchical, but there was some upward and downward mobility."


 * "E2 Fameio / Servant: first steps in the direction of personal growth, by being of service. It may also point to lack of hope, repeating a routine without much heart nor soul going into it."

Mantegna Tarot Sphere II. "Emotion"

 * "In the Mantegna Tarot cards, emotions are represented by the Muses who awaken them. Muses inspire artistic expression, each in their own field, each with their own planetary sphere. Mnemosyne (memory) is their mother, and Apollo their leader."

Mantegna Tarot Sphere III. "Cognition"

 * "In the Mantegna Tarot, this is the level of Arts and Sciences. These engravings are influenced by “The marriage of Hermes and Philology”, a book written in the 5th century."

Mantegna Tarot Sphere IV. "Meaning"

 * "The Sphere of Meaning helps us to better understand what matters to us. The Mantegna Tarot (with their engravings for the Moon, Mercury, Venus and the Sun) includes some of the key principles we can appreciate, and embody, in our day-to-day life."