Morgan Library explores tarot's journey from Renaissance game to occult tool

The Morgan Library & Museum in New York has opened 'Tarot!', an exhibition tracing the history of tarot cards from their origins in 15th-century Italy to their modern association with divination. The show capitalizes on the practice's surge in popularity during the pandemic, when online searches for tarot readings skyrocketed. It charts the evolution of the cards through the centuries and features tarot-themed works by over two dozen contemporary artists. Notable historical figures include Pamela Colman Smith, the artist who designed the iconic Rider-Waite deck and was an associate of poet William Butler Yeats, as well as occultist Aleister Crowley, who created his own tarot system. The exhibition aims to attract both newcomers and seasoned practitioners, reflecting how tarot has moved from bohemian and mystical circles into mainstream culture, with decks now widely available in independent bookstores.