Queen of Cups - Natl. Gallery of Art, London

[Papageno]

Thanks to Giordano Berti and Benebell Wen for the use of images from their respective websites for this comparison of 3 versions of the Queen of Cups from The Sola-Busca, Pamela Colman Smith's RWS Tarot and the Mystical Tarot by Giuliano Costa.

This YouTube video produced by the The National Gallery, London. provides us with insights into a painting, possibly of the Muse "Calliope" by Cosimo Tura 1430 – 1495 which is undoubtedly the inspiration for the Queen of Cups in all three decks; "Polisena" in the case of the Sola-Busca.


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Sola-Busca/RWS Polisena - Queen of Cups

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Mystical Tarot Queen of Cups

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[TheLoracular]

I loved watching that video, Papageno.

It immediately set me to wonder if Leonello or Borso d'Este had commissioned a tarot deck - indeed the family had!
The D'Este tarot immediately came to light.

This is probably no surprise to you or the other historical tarot lovers who frequent this forum, lol. But learning the pre-RWS decks in anything but the most passing manner is something very new to me. So connecting that painting as part of a series with a pair of Renaissance nobles who had also commissioned one of the oldest "Eastern-Category B" decks was exciting.

I'm too much of a historical tarot novice to know what "Eastern-Category B" is at the moment so that will be something I go research later, the different categories for historical tarot decks.

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c. 1473

The Queen of Cups from that deck doesn't make me immediately embrace the painting of the muse as its direct influence, though.

[Papageno]

This is probably no surprise to you or the other historical tarot lovers who frequent this forum, lol. But learning the pre-RWS decks in anything but the most passing manner is something very new to me.

Well yeah, actually all insights, historical or otherwise are a surprise to me as well, but that's part of what makes tarot so much more meaningful and gratifying.......although the whole learning curve thing is very time consuming and daunting.

I also enjoy recognizing how the old historical decks influence some modern tarot decks......I think you'll find this especially
true of new decks created by European artists (which I suppose is only natural)....even in decks that are primarily RWS based, quite often I see the Mantegna/Visconti/ Marseille influence, which I appreciate.
But that could take up a whole new thread in itself.

I'm too much of a historical tarot novice to know what "Eastern-Category B" is at the moment so that will be something I go research later, the different categories for historical tarot decks.

Hey, I'm a total novice also, and I was also thinking the exact same thing when I went to the website you provided (Thank you very much btw), I haven't a clue what a "Eastern-Category B" type deck/planche is.....I'll delve into it more when I have more time/energy/inclination.
It took me this long just to finally have an interest in actually educating myself about the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 Marseille decks.

The Queen of Cups from that deck doesn't make me immediately embrace the painting of the muse as its direct influence, though.

I agree, although that IS a rockin' deck.

[TheLoracular]

Hey, I'm a total novice also, and I was also thinking the exact same thing when I went to the website you provided (Thank you very much btw), I haven't a clue what a "Eastern-Category B" type deck/planche is.....I'll delve into it more when I have more time/energy/inclination.
It took me this long just to finally have an interest in actually educating myself about the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 Marseille decks.

You are welcome! And I completely agree with you about that being a rocking deck. I am going to keep an eye out for a replica, even though my wish list is long and my deck budget for February already spent on two Indie decks currently on Kickstarter, lol.