The Printing Dynasties
As Tarot spread across Europe, it evolved in many ways. The printing houses of the 18th and 19th centuries introduced some of the most revolutionary changes.
The Rise of Tarot
Tarot started as a card game in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Marseille deck, originating in early 18th-century France, was the most popular one around. Despite the changing landscapes of the countries that adopted it, the deck's imagery and numbering remained consistent, setting the standard for other manufacturers.
At that time, Tarot was purely for fun and games. People used the cards for entertainment, not for mystical or spiritual purposes. However, the decks caught the eye of master printers who brought a new level of artistry to the cards, leaving a significant mark on Tarot history.
The well-known printing families loved adding their personal touches to the decks. They experimented with different signs, symbols, and figures, making each deck slightly unique. They often signed their work, typically placing their signatures and the printing year on the Two of Pentacles and the Two of Cups.
Tarot: A Canvas for Craftsmen
Tarot was a fantastic way for artisans to pass down their trade secrets and expand their reach. For example, Marseille manufacturers spread from southern France to Switzerland, northern Italy, and Belgium, refining their card styles as they went.
Card Craftsmen
The rise of Tarot opened up new opportunities for printers to showcase their skills. Historians have found that by comparing personal printing marks with historical tax records, hundreds of printers were making Tarot decks during the 18th and 19th centuries. This boom allowed these craftsmen to demonstrate their talent and leave their mark on the world of Tarot.
Evolution of Tarot
By the early 19th century, classic Tarot models made a comeback, and new variations started to appear. The German printing style introduced cartomantic decks like the Book of Thoth, the Sybille, and the Lenormand. The four most popular colours were red, yellow, green, and brown, with each manufacturer adding unique tones for a subtle but recognizable difference. The painted sheets were cut, assembled into full decks, and wrapped. Italian printers, known for their high-quality materials and reinforced card edges, stood out in the market.
Important Differences
Political events of the time significantly influenced Tarot deck designs. The religious conflicts between Catholics and Protestants in the late 18th century likely led many printers to replace The High Priestess with the Roman goddess Juno and The Hierophant (or Pope) with Jupiter. Similarly, during the French Revolution in 1789, the new regime banned the King and Queen cards, replacing them with depictions of revolutionary leaders.
Meanwhile, the commercial success of the Marseille Tarot spurred improvements in artistic techniques, boosting production quality and lowering costs. This made the cards more popular and accessible. The printing process involved an engraver stencilling figures on hardwood or copper sheets, printing the images in black, and then hand-painting the colours layer by layer using screens. This meticulous process ensured the decks were vibrant and detailed.
The Changing Face of Tarot
As Tarot's popularity skyrocketed, the demand for mass production led to a decline in quality and artistic excellence. Sophisticated printing presses replaced intricate work like stencilling and hand-painting. While these traditional skills lost some of their value, their legacy lives on in the standardization of Tarot iconography. Even today, the contributions of these printing dynasties are recognized as crucial to the spread and development of Tarot in Europe.
End of an Era
Tarot experienced another major transformation in the latter half of the 19th century. Decks, once used mainly for gaming and entertainment, began to play a significant role in the burgeoning esoteric movement. Spiritual leaders started using Tarot cards to channel the Divine, greatly influencing their followers and fueling a surge in interest in Tarot.
Making Their Mark
Here are some of the most important Tarot printing dynasties in France and their years of activity:
Arnoux (Marseille, 1790-1829)
Benoit (Strasbourg, 1751-1803)
Conver (Marseille, 1760-1890)
Fautrier (Marseille, 1753-1793)
Grimaud (Paris, 1748-1950)
Madeni (Dijon, 1700-1795)
Tourcaty (Marseille, 1701-1809)
In Switzerland, notable Tarot printers included:
Burdel (Fribourg, 1751-1850)
Rochias (Neuchatel, around 1775-1850)
Shaer (Mumliswil, around 1730-1896)
Evolution of Marseille Tarot
The iconographic template of the Marseille Tarot persisted over centuries, adapting to changes across Europe. Political and religious significances often prompted alterations in these decks. For instance, in Jean Jerger's Tarot (early 19th century, Besancon), Juno replaced the High Priestess, while Adam De Hautot's Tarot (around 1740, Rouen) featured Captain Fracasse in place of the High Priestess. Jean-Baptiste Galler's Devil Tarot (18th century, Brussels) shows a variation influenced by the Bolognese Tarot, revealing Tarot's openness to external influences even in the 18th century.
Marseille Variations
The term "Marseille" refers to the iconographic style rather than the place of printing. There are numerous Marseille decks, each with slight variations in design, symbolism, and colours, reflecting regional and artistic preferences.