Tarocco Neoclassico

Published April 11, 2013 Updated June 28, 2023

Gumppenberg published several new decks by artists or engravers of the day. The designs are clear and well-engraved, in the style of the revival of antiquity, preserving the symbolic intensity of the Tarot.

1980 Italy Gumppenberg Solleone Facsimiles & Replicas Tarocco

“Tarocco Neoclassico Italiano”, c.1810

Originally published by Ferdinando Gumppenberg in c.1810, this facsimile edition was published in 1980 by Edizioni del Solleone. Gumppenberg published several new decks by well-known artists or engravers of the day. The designs are clear and well-engraved, in the style of the revival of antiquity, and preserving the symbolic intensity of the Tarot, but adding new nuances. Delicate borders and calligraphic inscriptions inspired by neoclassical art complement the drawings and colouring in this fine historic deck.

'Tarocco Neoclassico Italiano', based on an original engraved deck by Ferdinando Gumppenberg from c.1810

Above: 'Tarocco Neoclassico Italiano', based on an original engraved deck by Ferdinando Gumppenberg from c.1810, re-published in 1980 as a limited facsimile edition of 1500 by Edizioni del Solleone, and again in 1984 as a second edition of 999, under the direction of Vito Arienti. The figures are delicately engraved and fit comfortably within the confined space of a playing card, each one set within an ornamental border. The pip cards use arrangements and iconography reminiscent of engraved Spanish decks from the same period, without intercrossing swords and batons. The ace of swords carries the tax stamp valid from 1807 to 1816. Gumppenberg was inspired by the work of the Spanish engraver Clemente Roxas of Madrid. Here and there the designs depart from traditional tarot images. For example, the Lovers card depicts a woman in between two men, instead of the other way round. The same original cards were also re-published by Lo Scarabeo as: 'Antichi Tarocci Lombardi' in 1995 and by Edition Fabbri, France, in 2003.

Some cards from an original copy in the British Museum

On the ace of cups is "Fabbricatore Gumppenberg". On the ace of swords is a duty stamp. All the cards have a narrow ornamental border. Names of the court cards and atutti in Italian. Total 78 cards.

“Tarocco Neoclassico Italiano”, Fabbricatore Gumppenberg, c.1810. © The Trustees of the British Museum “Tarocco Neoclassico Italiano”, Fabbricatore Gumppenberg, c.1810. © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above: “Tarocco Neoclassico Italiano”, Fabbricatore Gumppenberg, c.1810. Hand-coloured etching, backs printed with a pattern of red stars. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0501.14


REFERENCES

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 (Italian 10) [digital version here]

See also: “Tarocchino Lombardo” c.1835Tarot Heritage website

avatar
94 Articles

By Rod Starling (1936-2023)

Member since January 09, 2013

Rod Starling was one of the founding members of the 52 Plus Joker card collectors club. He authored many articles for the club's quarterly newsletter, Clear the Decks. His collection encompasses both foreign and American decks. Rod also authored a book titled The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards.

Related Articles

1981 Alan Tarot Deck

Alan Tarot Deck

Reprint of a Tarock pack originally designed by Argio Orell for the Austrian Lloyd shipping company....

1991 Il Tarocco del Mondo Nuovo

Il Tarocco del Mondo Nuovo

Imaginative Tarot card designs by Amerigo Folchi relating to Columbus and the New World.

1992 22 Artisti Liguri in 22 Arcani

22 Artisti Liguri in 22 Arcani

Collaborative set of major arcana devoted to Christopher Columbus and his voyages of discovery.

1992 Carte di Colombo

Carte di Colombo

Fully illustrated pack designed by Pier Canosa commemorating the 500th anniversary of the discovery ...

1983 Carte di Natale

Carte di Natale

Designed by Pier Canosa as a Christmas pack for the Cortina Art Gallery in Milan.

Lyon pattern made in Italy by Pietro de Santi

Lyon pattern made in Italy by Pietro de Santi

The Lyon pattern was initially developed in France during the 16th century. As Lyon was a trading hu...

Laurenzo Propagine

Laurenzo Propagine

Spanish-suited cards made in Italy by Laurenzo Propagine.

1988 Il Tarocco Mitologico

Il Tarocco Mitologico

Fully pictorial Tarot designed by Amerigo Folchi with figures mainly from Greek mythology.

1875 Neapolitan pattern by Luigi Pignalosa, Naples

Neapolitan pattern by Luigi Pignalosa, Naples

Two versions of the Neapolitan pattern from the British Museum by Luigi Pignalosa, Naples, 1875 & 18...

1995 Dylan Dog

Dylan Dog

Characters and objects from the Italian comic book series Dylan Dog, written by Tiziano Sciavi and d...

2006 Royal Britain

Royal Britain

Pack devised by Pietro Alligo depicting English monarchs from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II.

1647 Sevilla 1647 reproduction

Sevilla 1647 reproduction

Facsimile of Spanish-suited pack produced in Sevilla, Spain, 1647.

2021 Le Monde Primitif Tarot

Le Monde Primitif Tarot

Facsimile edition produced by Morena Poltronieri & Ernesto Fazioli of Museo Internazionale dei Taroc...

1996 I Tarocchi del Buongustaio

I Tarocchi del Buongustaio

A less-than-serious set of major arcana on a gourmet theme, with designs by Cosimo Musio.

1975 Poker Lusso

Poker Lusso

Richly costumed courts on a luxury poker pack from Masenghini.

1991 Le Roi bridge

Le Roi bridge

Reprint of a Piatnik (Budapest) pack of 1927 with Hungarian historical figures and scenic aces.