Morgan Library exhibition spotlights tarot's journey from Renaissance game to artistic muse

The Morgan Library in New York has opened an exhibition that, according to the Financial Times, explores how tarot cards have fired artists’ imaginations. The show, titled simply "Tarot!" draws on the library's rich holdings to trace the evolution of the cards from their origins as a Renaissance pastime to a persistent source of creative inspiration.

"spellbinding visions of the fortune-teller’s art"

FT's coverage frames the exhibition as a survey of the fortune-teller's art, highlighting the visual spell the cards have cast over centuries. The show brings together historic decks and contemporary works that reimagine tarot's symbolic language.

"Renaissance Symbols, Modern Visions"

ft.trib.alTarot! Renaissance Symbols, Modern Visions — spellbinding visions of the fortune-teller’s art

A separate report from ft.trib.al zeroes in on the dual nature of the exhibition, pairing Renaissance symbols with modern visions. The piece underscores how the Morgan Library's presentation spans both the historical roots of tarot and its ongoing resonance in contemporary art.

Both outlets note that the exhibition is not merely a display of occult artifacts but an exploration of how artists have continually reimagined the cards. The Morgan Library, known for its collections of rare books and manuscripts, provides a fitting setting for this look at a tradition that blends mysticism with artistic expression.