a fantasy deck...symbolist artists

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 05 Dec 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Ophiel	05 Dec 2002
Yeah, I was thinking, since I am no great artist this time around, what I would do if I was designing a deck of cards. Is anybody familiar with the Symbolist art movement? The Pre-Raphaelities are linked to these artists. The images are dreamy, other-worldly, lots of melancholy, my...my....my...my-thology even. I think the dates for this 'movement' start around 1870 and ended about the time of WW I. Some artists considered in this group include Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Gustave Moreau, Lucien Levy-Dhurmer, and many others. Has anybody created a deck based on an art movement, with art by various artists? I wonder how difficult it would be to secure copyrights on such a project. Until I figure that out, I think I'll join the dreamy characters in this wonderful art!

ihcoyc	05 Dec 2002
Just about anything from before WWI would be out of copyright, in the USA at least. I am also a big fan of those artists --- Rédon, Puvis de Chavannes, Khnopff and Toorop are some of my favourite painters. Check out Bram Dijkstra's Idols of Perversity. There are few art books that can make the tears of laughter run down your cheeks, but this is one of 'em.

Myrrha	05 Dec 2002
Ophiel that is a wonderful idea! Some of Odillon Redon's images would be perfect for tarot. How about Arnold Bocklin's "The Isle of the Dead" for death? I only hope that you give each artist credit and maybe explain a little about each of them. That way people will be able to look up the artists that intrigue them and see more of their work. Myrrha

Ophiel	08 Dec 2002
Yeah, maybe next life I'll sit down and make this deck, select all the images I want, etc. Actually, that would be enjoyable. It is an interesting idea to look at art and see Tarot, though.

Ruby	10 Dec 2002
A deck based on the art of the Symbolists would be amazing and I would certainly buy it! I recommend (if you can find it as I think it's out of print now) getting hold of 'The Concise Encyclopedia of Symbolism' by Jean Cassou as a neat introduction to the major names and works in Symbolist Art.

Laurel	10 Dec 2002
A book that's still in print but pricy (and I'm told has excellent color plates) is _Eros and Death:Belgian Symbolism_ and supposedly has some of Delville's best but hard to find works, among other things. Laurel

Ophiel	11 Dec 2002
Thanks for both of these book recommendations. If I ever sort out my books, I might find I have that first one. As for the Belgian symbolists, if I can find a store who has it in stock, I can at least look at it, maybe drool a little, then buy the book cheaper as 'damaged.' I'll make sure to look at some pictures with lesser significance in the store. Thanks again. I have been a 'fan' of this style of art for a while now.

The a fantasy deck...symbolist artists thread was originally posted on 05 Dec 2002 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.