Sola Busca tarot

What it is

This collection represents the first fully preserved seventy-eight card deck from the tarot lineage. It stands apart from earlier sets because every plain suit card carries an illustration, and its trump cards break from standard iconography. The cards are numbered using Roman numerals for trumps and Arabic numerals for suits. Scholars view it as a crucial artifact for understanding the evolution of playing cards and esoteric symbolism in late medieval Europe.

Where it comes from

Artists engraved the plates in the late fifteenth century, likely in Venice. Research suggests the painted version was completed around 1491. While some early theories pointed to a Venetian client or specific miniaturists, modern scholarship emphasizes strong links to hermetic and alchemical traditions. The inscriptions on the cards explicitly reference the Republic of Venice, grounding its creation in that specific cultural and political context.

How it is done

The deck consists of twenty-one trump cards, the Fool, and fifty-six suit cards. The trumps feature figures like Nebuchadnezzar and Gaius Marius rather than traditional archetypes. The suit cards display expressive figures with precise contours and shading. The artwork relies on detailed engraving techniques to create depth and character, distinguishing it from simpler contemporary prints.

Tools and materials

The primary medium involves metal plates used for engraving. The surviving masterpiece is hand-painted, showcasing high-quality artistic execution. Other known fragments exist as unpainted impressions. The materials reflect the craftsmanship of Italian printmakers during the Renaissance period.

What it is for

Historians believe the deck served both recreational and symbolic functions. Some researchers argue the imagery encodes alchemical teachings and hermetic philosophy. The selection of historical and mythological figures suggests an intent to educate or entertain through complex visual narratives rather than simple fortune-telling.

Who does it

The original creator remains anonymous. Over centuries, various scholars have attempted to identify the artist, proposing names like Mattia Serrati da Cosandola or Nicola di Maestro Antonio. Today, historians and art experts study the deck to decode its hidden meanings and trace its provenance through noble families and museums.

Peoples and places

The deck originated in Italy, specifically within the Venetian sphere. It later passed through the hands of the Busca-Serbelloni noble family before entering public collections. Its influence extended to England, where photographs of the deck inspired later tarot designs. The artwork reflects Italian Renaissance aesthetics and intellectual currents.

What people believe

Scholars associate the deck with Renaissance alchemy and hermeticism. Key figures like Alexander the Great and Aristotle appear in the imagery, referencing ancient legends about magical initiation. The Knight of Swords depicts Amone, linked to Zeus Ammon, while other cards represent Egyptian priests and sorceresses. These elements suggest a worldview where magic and natural philosophy were intertwined.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Research has evolved significantly since the early twentieth century. Arthur Mayger Hind initially dated the deck to 1490 based on inscriptions. Later studies by Sofia Di Vincenzo highlighted alchemical themes. In 2012, exhibitions at the Brera Museum reinforced the connection to hermetic culture. Experts continue to analyze the cards to understand their place in the history of European esotericism.

Compare and confuse

It differs from the Visconti-Sforza decks by including illustrated suit cards and using numerical ordering. Its idiosyncratic trumps share traits with the Boiardo-Viti pack and later French-suited cards. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck shows clear artistic similarities to the Sola Busca plain suits, suggesting direct inspiration for modern tarot imagery.

Questions people ask about Sola Busca tarot

Good reading and sources

• Sola Busca tarot on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data