Leonardo Da Vinci Tarot
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| ros |
27 Feb 2004 |
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This deck has just came in for me. It's nice but very dry. I like it but I think I won't be using it a lot.
Does anyone else have this deck?
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| full deck |
28 Feb 2004 |
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The artwork is very nice, as well as the style. I did not like the minor arcana at all, thus I only use the Major arcana for reading and meditation.
For me, the minors seemed too contrived and the artwork had little to do with card itself. I guess I should have bought the original 22 cards deck that the artist came out with.
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| lionette |
26 Mar 2004 |
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Hi ...
I just got it today on a whim. Had picked up the box a couple times, drawn to the 2 images, Justice and especially the QWands.
Before opening, tho, I checked online to view more images to be sure it would be close to my liking. And yes, I opened the box and was pleasantly surprised, but also taken aback by some of the more graphic images (Death, many in Swords suit). The subtle colors I really like -- find them a nice contrast to some of the stark images. Also seems totally appropriate to subject.
Worked with it a little bit tonite and am finding it less dark than I thought I might at first browse through. Some of the card meanings in its LWB are different from other illustrated pips, in a way that I find intriguing. Planning to enjoy this deck.
Sorry the 2 of you haven't found it to your liking.
I'll post my "new deck reading" in the other forum, if anyone's curious :)
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| contrascarpe |
23 Apr 2004 |
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Yup, got this one on a whim today myself ...... had seen it once during one of our tarot gatherings but didn't really pay close attention to it (I do remember the Mona Lisa wearing the Papal hat though, lol).
So, now I own it and by first impression, I feel like this will be a very readable deck to me. I really enjoy the muted colors and I don't mind the minors at all. I find myself purchasing more LS decks lately as their uniqueness appeals to me.
Dan
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| lionette |
23 Apr 2004 |
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Hi Dan, I'm glad you like the deck -- is it just you and me in that camp? ;) Have been hoping for some someone else would come along!
Some of the cards, I'd like to discuss a bit -- are you interested in meeting over at the appropriate forum? (would that be General Study Group or Cards?)
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| Brammetje |
16 Aug 2004 |
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I love it, Major and minor, both are beautifull...
But I do not like card 2 (the mona lisa with the hat, why the hat?) of the major and I do not like the death card ...These two bother me.
I haven't studied it yet and keep it safe in a nice wooden box.
When I have time I would like to discuss this deck, my knowledge of Da Vinci will probably be too limited, but this might change.
I think the minor arcana are especially beautifull !
9 out of ten.
Great Job !
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| darwinia |
16 Aug 2004 |
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I got it last fall and found it largely puzzling UNTIL I wrote ten essays about some of the cards and did some research on the artwork and the individuals depicted on the cards. Strangely enough, the Kaplan Encyclopedia triggered a memory with two of its images, and that's what got me going on the whole thing. I have the essays printed up with the salient artwork by Leonardo and scans of the cards in my Tarot journal.
Now the cards make sense to me because I know some of the people, symbolism, and the story behind why they were chosen for their particular Tarot archetype. I also learned about Leonardo's artwork and some of the early sketches and studies for elements in the deck. I was keen to find historical information on the people of the time and their relevance to both Leonardo and this deck. I did that, but it required some effort, which I enjoyed.
It is unfortunate that Lo Scarabeo included no art references whatsoever to clue you in though. I am still trying to track down some of the artwork and characters.
I rarely do conventional readings with decks, so this sort of exercise suits me and goes really well with art decks. Many people don't work this way which can be frustrating. If not, that's okay, it's only a small window on my world and how I felt about the deck and increased its appeal for myself.
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| Cerulean |
16 Aug 2004 |
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Darwina, what a great creative work you did with the deck!
When I first reviewed the deck, I thought that it would be exactly my relationship with it--similar to the Dante--use the deck, read related material, and then work with similar images.
But I don't have an expressive relationship for the well-known masters of the Renaissance. Leonardo was a fascinating man and I was glad that he finally received patronage in France in his elder days. His drawings are still teaching many students today. However I have an affinity with some other secondary artists of that time.
I've ended up researching Pontarmo and Botticelli in association with Florence and retreating to Ferrarese artists, where I'm still soaking up the past.
Thanks for the thread!
Regards,
Cerulean
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| darwinia |
16 Aug 2004 |
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Mari, I can't remember if I sent some to you privately. I know I posted the one on the Hanged Man on the Tarocchi Celtici list, but did I send you more?
This is what happens when I get greatly excited about a tarot project, I bombard all my friends with stuff and then can't remember whom I've talked to!
For me, the big three are Da Vinci, Giotto and Bosch. Giotto and Bosch in particular don't have many personal details--they are lost in time, so I bought a couple of art books on each to go with their respective tarot decks. The mystery of them, and the individuality and originality of these artists is what appeals to me.
Like William Blake, all were ahead of their time and we don't know much about them considering what an influence they have had.
I just like to putter way. Oh and I just found a fabulous catalogue on William Blake from an exhibition in the Tate Gallery, so my Blake book collection is getting up there. I bought a great book on Giotto with big full-colour pictures for $8 but the text is in Italian (where is Pollux when I need him??)
There is one book on Da Vinci that has every piece of artwork, including all his sketches, but it retails for $190 CDN or something. I could never afford a book like that, so I don't have pictures of every piece of artwork that is contained in the deck, but I've done okay with my studies and hope to do more.
It's greatly fascinating to track things down yourself--you must find this, it's a real kick to recognize something and then read up on it.
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| Melvis |
18 Aug 2004 |
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Hi, all!
It sounds like you've done some great work with this deck, Darwinia! I started using it for the Comparative Study Group, but I haven't kept up with it since I moved last month.
I like doing the kind of thing you're doing with the art decks I have, too. I just found a book at a used bookstore of Blake's work at The Huntinton Library, so I'm excited to get into the Blake deck again! I like putting the cards together with the original artwork, and sort of using the cards to get insights into the artists. Although, it's easier with Blake because of his writings, and the whole mythos that goes with them!
I think once I start relating some of the Leonardo cards to the originals it will make the deck 'click' for me. Darwinia, maybe you could give Solandia a summary of your work for an article on AT. I, for one, would love to see it! :D
Mari: Oh, when will someone do a Botticelli deck! I would love to see that. I do hold out hope for it, too. There have been so many great art-based decks lately, maybe it's just a matter of time!
Peace,
Melvis
:TSTRE
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| Cerulean |
19 Aug 2004 |
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Since I have not seen Darwinia's later work in detail, it would be fun for me to revisit both my sketchy reviews and whatever details she did. I only remember her saying that she did multiple reviews of the deck--which impressed me.
I did prerelease (scans were posted) comparisons with the Leonardo, Durer, and Etruscan. Of those three, I do find Leonardo successful in terms of what appealed to me, prefer the Durer in the 22 major edition and I still like the Etruscan very much.
BTW, Melvis, your 'logo' is priceless, I really like it.
Regards,
Cerulean
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| darwinia |
19 Aug 2004 |
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Originally posted by Melvis
I just found a book at a used bookstore of Blake's work at The Huntinton Library, so I'm excited to get into the Blake deck again!
It must be Blake month. I got a wholesale catalogue in the mail and they had copies of an art catalogue that was for an exhibition at the Tate Gallery--apparently the biggest exhibition of Blake's work ever done. Up here in Canada, it originally retailed for $115 and they were selling it for $25 or $28 CDN, so I ordered it and should be getting it in a couple of weeks.
Now if only that Leonardo book would come down in price. Ah well, I got a decent book on his work, but it doesn't have all the sketches like the other.
I know nothing about Botticelli except the Venus picture. One thing about tarot cards, they get you zooming into things.
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| darwinia |
19 Aug 2004 |
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Originally posted by Cerulean
I only remember her saying that she did multiple reviews of the deck
They weren't reviews, they were little essays of information, some researched from my own books and some quoted from the Internet with my own interpretations and impressions to sum up. I did them for myself but posted them on a mailing list. There were several people there who had bought the deck, looked at it, and stored it away. They seemed to enjoy them.
When I started I didn't have a book myself but I had recognized two of the cards from pictures of paintings and a statue in the Kaplan Encyclopedia.
I just had to find out who these people in the deck were. I really think Lo Scarabeo missed the boat on providing the art references and some basic history with this. It will unfortunately fade into being a pretty deck that gets stored, like their other art decks.
I much admire Lo Scarabeo and their artists and editors, but I wish someone there would think with vision regarding the marketing and accompanying literature with this type of art deck. So what if it's more expensive? I feel such lost opportunity there.
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| rabble |
19 Aug 2004 |
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I got it probably two weeks ago, and I really like it! I don't know it yet though, but it does inspire me.
There's actually only one of the cards that I've looked into, in an art related way, and that was for a tarot bag I made - Dragons Head - (website link below) - which I matched with the two of swords, and I also found a Da Vinci sketch that I likened it to too.
The shapes on this card, and in that sketch, really tied themselves to this fabric, in my mind. I didn't have the deck at the time I made the bag, but it was "in the mail".
I would like to get to know this deck really well, and the art that goes along with it! :)
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| Cerulean |
19 Aug 2004 |
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Quote Darwinia:
I just had to find out who these people in the deck were. I really think Lo Scarabeo missed the boat on providing the art references and some basic history with this. It will unfortunately fade into being a pretty deck that gets stored, like their other art decks.
Cerulean's replY
Ah, maybe you can make the great suggestion to--I believe the email address is: info@loscarabeo.com and you can ask it be passed on to Riccardo Minetti, an editor there...
I am so glad to hear others found a gorgeous relationship with this deck---I think you'll have great delights further in store if this is a passion to revisit again and again
...Darwinia, thanks for correcting me on the fact you wrote essays--you were clear before, my mistake in thinking 'reviews.'
I really enjoyed reading in this topic this week.
Regards,
Cerulean
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The Leonardo Da Vinci Tarot thread was originally posted on 27 Feb 2004 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.
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