Torino exhibition traces tarot history from Renaissance to contemporary art

An extensive exhibition at the Museo Ettore Fico in Turin delves into the evolution of tarot cards from the Renaissance to the present day, occupying more than 1,000 square meters with a variety of ancient and contemporary decks, prints, and multimedia displays. The first tarot decks, known as Trionfi, were commissioned by Duke Filippo Maria Visconti in 1441 and appeared in the mid-15th century. Among the showcased items is the oldest known deck from Bonifacio Bembo's workshop. Originally a form of entertainment, tarot began to be used for divination in the late 18th century. Significant decks include Sola Busca (1491), Tarocchini, and Rider Waite (1909), while modern decks feature Marvel characters and David Bowie's Starman Tarot (2018). The exhibition concludes with pieces inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle's Giardino dei Tarocchi.