The mystical world of tarot has taken up residence at The Morgan Library & Museum, where a new two-part exhibition traces the cards’ journey from a historic parlor game to a modern tool for divination!
Titled “Tarot: Renaissance Symbols and Modern Visions,” the limited-time showcase offers visitors a comprehensive look at the artistic and cultural evolution of the practice.
Exploring Renaissance Origins
The first half of the exhibition grounds the mystical cards in their early history, displaying delicate, historically significant cards behind glass cases. Visitors are introduced to tarot’s origins in Renaissance Italy, where the decks were originally created for parlor games rather than fortune-telling.
The exhibit highlights the intricate artwork of these early Italian decks, explaining how they essentially served as the structural foundation for the standard 52-card decks used around the world today.
From Parlor Games to the Occult
Moving through the galleries, the second half of the exhibition shifts focus to tarot’s eventual association with the occult, exploring how the cards were slowly repurposed for divination and spiritual practices over the centuries.
Viewing the decks through both historical and artistic lenses, the collection features a wide array of imagery, from classic esoteric symbols to contemporary and pop-culture adaptations. Archival photographs, instructional books, and modern interpretations—such as the retro-style “The Pulp Tarot”—demonstrate how the visual language of the cards has continuously adapted to new eras.
“Tarot: Renaissance Symbols and Modern Visions” is on display at The Morgan Library & Museum, located at 225 Madison Ave, until October 4th.