Visconti Modrone Tarot

The Visconti Modrone Tarot is a faithful restoration and reconstruction of one of the most enigmatic 15th-century decks, originally created for the noble Visconti family of Milan. This edition by Lo Scarabeo brings the historical artifact to modern readers, featuring 89 oversized cards (90x189 mm) that replicate the original's grandeur through hot foil printing, simulating engraved gold and silver leaves. The project, funded via Kickstarter, aimed to make this precious and unique deck accessible, preserving its historical integrity while adapting it for contemporary use.

The deck's structure is distinct from modern tarot, initially comprising 80 cards across five suits of 16. For modern readability, six additional cards were created to bring the Major Arcana count to 22. Furthermore, three additional Arcana (Faith, Hope, and Charity) were recreated to replace the original High Priestess, Star, and Hierophant, bringing the total card count to 89. The Minor Arcana feature pips decorated with floral or heraldic motifs, rather than illustrated scenes, a characteristic of pre-20th-century decks. Notably, the deck includes two unique female court cards, "La Fantesca" and "La Cavallerizza," serving as female counterparts to the Page and Knight.

Accompanying the deck is a hardcover book with gold foil decorations, which delves into the deck's rich history, the challenges of its digital restoration, and the scholarly research involved in reconstructing missing cards. The restoration process, led by Mattia D'Auge, involved meticulous repair of damages, research into original pigmentation, and reconstruction of lost cards based on contemporary decks like the Visconti-Sforza and other historical documents. This edition offers a deep dive into early tarot history, making it a valuable resource for collectors and scholars alike.

This deck is ideal for tarot historians, collectors of rare and antique decks, and enthusiasts of Renaissance art and culture. It appeals to readers interested in the origins and evolution of tarot, offering a direct connection to one of the earliest known decks. While its structure differs from modern RWS systems, experienced readers who appreciate historical accuracy and are willing to engage with a more traditional, non-pictorial Minor Arcana will find it deeply rewarding. It is less suited for absolute beginners seeking a contemporary, easy-to-interpret deck.

Lo Scarabeo undertook the ambitious project of restoring and reconstructing the Visconti Modrone Tarot, one of the three decks created for the noble Visconti family in the 15th century. The restoration, a painstaking effort lasting over a year, was edited by Mattia D'Auge. It involved digital repair of existing cards, research into original colors, and reconstruction of missing cards based on other period decks and historical documents. This endeavor aimed to bring a historically significant and visually opulent deck, previously only accessible in museums, into the hands of modern enthusiasts.