This was one of my first three or four decks, back in the 90's. I think I have one of the "good" printings, and was drawn by The Popess/High Priestess in the window of the cutout box, and it's still a card I find beautiful.
For as much as I find it attractive, I've never read with it much. Some of the minors are definitely more inspired by Etteilla's meanings than the RWS, and that threw me off for years. I did, however, once start on a project to study the Dame Fortune's Wheel and the Medieval Scapini together, since they have that in common, and I found that helpful. I used Huson's Mystical Origins of the Tarot as a guide, and would recommend it. (Got sidetracked and never finished that project, though.)
Aina, I know a bit what you mean about the grotesqueness of the art, in some cards at least. But I do like the quirkiness of it. I find the deck to have two incongruent aesthetic styles, though. Some of the cards, especially the Majors, strike me as lovely or ornate (The Popess, Justice, The Sun). I also love the Knight of Wands, Ace of Disks, Two of Wands, Queens of Swords and Cups. I enjoy the threat of The Moon and The Tower.
But then most of the Minors have a humorous, sly vibe which feels very different. It helps me tremendously to think of the deck as theatrical: lots of over the top "characters," almost goofy faces, and scenes that look like they'd be crass comedies if brought to the stage. I think of traveling theater companies from a medieval-esque era. That shady Page of Swords! The strange knights of the Two of Swords, the scrambling, comedic Knight of Swords, the gamblers of the Seven of Coins, the high-jinks of the Eight of Wands... If you can get on board with this aspect of the deck, you might be able to enjoy it.
