Frau Grand Duchess Tarot

The Frau Grand Duchess Tarot is a 78-card deck created by artist Jen Kruch, featuring unique collaged illustrations. Inspired by her mother's palmistry and her own first deck, The Medieval Scapini Tarot, Kruch set out to create a deck that honors traditional tarot meanings while incorporating her distinctive artistic vision. The deck draws on classic symbolism, particularly from the mid-fifteenth century Visconti-Sforza Tarocchi deck, ensuring that each card remains true to its original interpretations.

Kruch's creative process involved setting specific rules for herself, including the deliberate inclusion of green index card elements within the collages and adding her personal understanding to each card's meaning. The result is a deck that is both deeply rooted in tarot tradition and refreshingly contemporary in its aesthetic. The campaign highlights that the deck's lush imagery makes it accessible and enjoyable for both tarot novices and seasoned collectors, emphasizing that no two cards are alike in their intricate designs.

Funded through Kickstarter in 2013, the project aimed to print the first run of these unique decks. Each deck was planned to be packaged in a custom box and include an instruction booklet. Kruch expressed her intention for this deck to be the first in a series, with plans for a full-color hand-painted deck and a letterpress line drawing deck already in mind, showcasing her long-term commitment to creative exploration within the tarot space.

This deck is ideal for tarot enthusiasts who appreciate vintage aesthetics, collage art, and a touch of surrealism. It appeals to collectors looking for a unique, art-driven deck that still adheres to traditional tarot structures and meanings. Readers who enjoy intuitive interpretation and are drawn to decks with a strong, individual artistic voice will find the Frau Grand Duchess Tarot particularly engaging. It is also suitable for beginners who are open to a non-traditional visual style, as it includes an instruction booklet and maintains core tarot symbolism.

Jen Kruch's journey into tarot began at age 16 when her palm-reading mother gifted her The Medieval Scapini Tarot, sparking a lifelong fascination with symbolism. After quitting her job in late 2012 to pursue a creative career, she embarked on creating her first tarot deck. She established specific artistic rules, including incorporating green index card elements and drawing from Visconti-Sforza symbolism, while ensuring each card's meaning remained true to tradition. This deck was conceived as the first of many, reflecting her passion for diverse artistic expressions in tarot.