Mantegna Tarot

The Mantegna Tarot is a reproduction of the Italian Tarocchi of Mantegna dating from about 1470. The exact date is unknown, but some researchers believe the images may predate the well-known Visconti-Sforza. The Tarocchi of Mantegna was not a true tarocchi pack, but a set of prints or cards. The set has been attributed to artist Andrea Mantegna of Padua, but may actually be the work of Parrasio Michele of Ferrara. The Mantegna Tarot consists of 50 cards divided into 5 groups of 10. The figures in each group represent certain traditional classes or subjects. (See the lists below). The subjects within each group are ranked in order from least to most important, with the lowest number being most subordinate. At the bottom of each card is its name in Italian with the card's number to the right and class letter to the left. At the top, the name is also given in English, French, German and Dutch. There are two versions of the Tarocchi of Mantegna: the E-series and the S-series. This deck reproduces the E-series. Also included are 25 instruction cards. Each one shows two of the cards (facing in opposite directions) with a brief meaning in six languages. The background of the Mantegna Tarot cards is a beautiful, shiny silver overlaid with arabesques of different colors (depending on the card). Unfortunatley, these scans don't do justice to this striking effect as it changes the silver to dark. The Mantegna Tarot is published by Lo Scarabeo of Italy and distributed by Llewellyn in the US.

Number of Cards Size Copyright Card Back Design

50 2 1/2" x 4 3/4" 2000 [back design]

Number of Cards	Size	Copyright	Card Back Design
50	2 1/2" x 4 3/4"	2000

Language of Card Titles:
Italian, English, French, German, Dutch
(teaching cards also in Spanish)

Style of Suit Cards (2-10): no suits

Also Included: instruction sheet (14 pages), 25 teaching cards

Human Conditions:
Wretch, Servant, Artisan, Merchant, Gentleman, Knight,
Duke, King, Emperor, High Priest

Apollo and the Muses:
Calliope, Urania, Terpsichore, Erato, Polymnia,
Thalia, Melpomene, Euterpe, Clio, Apollo

Arts and Sciences:
Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric, Geometry, Arithmetic,
Music, Poetry, Philosophy, Astrology, Theology,

Geniuses and Virtues:
Intellect, Senses, Vital Functions, Temperance, Prudence,
Strength, Justice, Charity, Hope, Faith

Planets and Celestial Spheres:
Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jove,
Saturn, Upper Heavens, Celestial Power, Divine Light

Suit Names: no suits

Court Cards: no court cards

SAMPLE CARD IMAGES:

[Strength] [Artisan & Merchant] [Jupiter]

Reference -
The Encyclopedia of Tarot: Volume 1, pages 26, 27, 35-47
The Encyclopedia of Tarot: Volume 2, pages 139, 156, 158, 165, 168, 175, 177, 179, 297 and 302