Product Description

In twentieth century Vienna, the art of Gustav Klimt held a primary position. Inspired by this modern master, Golden Tarot of Klimt is teeming with impressions, stamped in gold, that recount love, death, sensuality, and regeneration.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #613905 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Cards

Customer Reviews

A gorgeous golden deck
Although I probably won't be using this deck "seriously", to actually lay cards, it is already a treasure that has added a new artistic dimension to my contact with tarot. Beautifully printed cards that depict paintings, or details of paintings by Klimt, they are impressive both because of the look and touch of the cards, and the very sensible selection of images to fit each of the Arcana. The accompanying booklet seems to suggest that designer Atanassov was sometimes inspired by Klimt's style rather than by an actual work of his, but although I'm not such an educated Klimt fan to know, I think he did great.

surface and shadow
Due to the nature of the medium, onscreen tarot cards often look a bit brighter and more three-dimensional than the real thing but with the Klimt pack, it's the reverse. Each card is an embossed and gilded gem. The nudity is often deliberately confronting. The World depicts an enquiring female about to give birth and her belly has more surface than the rest of her body from head to toe. The nine of cups is either a eunuch or an utterly fearless middle-aged woman. Males are subjected to the same unflinching Klimt treatment of physicality; the Fool and the Hermit remind us that Klimt would have seen starvation and desperation on his doorstep. There's nothing in the LWB about Klimt and the interpretations are brief to the point of confusion. This is a pity because the images have vast narrative power. I suggest gradually record a LWB of your own associations as you work with the cards. Klimt's passion for including decorative art - textiles, tiles and lavish architectural ornament - is well exploited and the sharp swings between Klimt's era and mythological times are a thrill. The High Priestess could be Eleanor Roosevelt smiling enigmatically from the sofa. Creative angles and distortions make this deck a perfect tool for probing parallel identities and processes.

Bargain!
Many decks that feature gold printing are in the $40 range. Not only is this deck affordable but the Symbolist movement of which Klimt was a part contains a mythology that works extremely well with traditional Tarot meanings. I have over 80 decks and this one is treasured addition to my collection.