Interviews
Summary:
This deck, done in the style of Mucha, features images that are beautiful and filled with energy and emotion. Following the Rider Waite Smith standard, the deck is readable out of the box. Packaged in a lovely box with a meaty little booklet, this deck will find its way into the hands of many readers.
Full Review:
The end of the 19th century was characterized by an optimism that led to the name "Belle Epoque." In this environment, the Art Nouveau movement was born. Its philosophy: that everything made by human hands could (and should) become an art form. While Alphonse Mucha never called himself an Art Nouveau artist, he spent his life living that philosophy. He infused all his work through many mediums—sculptures, stained glass, jewelry, and his famous theatre posters—with beauty. Instead of creating what they thought of as "slavish depictions of reality," these artists, Mucha included, sought to express emotion, essence, and mystery. This tendency makes this art form a perfect partner for tarot, which may be why the Art Nouveau Tarot is so popular.
What really sets this deck apart from other "in the style of" decks is that it follows the traditional Rider Waite Smith style, so it is easily recognizable and easy to read with out of the box. However, in the spirit of Art Nouveau, the compositions and images are not slavish. Changes in the perspective and composition variations give the images a new vitality while still remaining identifiable.
Some Art Nouveau, to me, seems flat and lifeless. Nice designs and aesthetically pleasing with beautiful flowing lines, but somehow still lifeless. These images keep Mucha's basic style but the images have more life, more movement. They are more evocative and emotional, with fewer esoteric and Christian symbols, than the Rider Waite Smith deck, but they retain the essential energy of the cards.
The booklet is larger than usual for Lo Scarabeo decks and the packaging is wonderful…a sturdy cardboard box that snuggly fits the cards and booklet and has a removable top. The booklet is very good and helpful and includes three spreads inspired by Mucha's art. There are also sample readings, which is usually unheard of in booklets. In fact, it is more like a tiny book than a booklet.
I brought this deck to a conference and everyone who saw it, loved it. I've been using it for readings and for classes and it has been a joy in every instance. If you like the art and like working with a RWS deck, then this is a no-brainer.
Deck Attributes
Name of deck: Tarot Mucha
Reviewer's Byline: Barbara Moore
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
ISBN: 9780738745589
Creator(s) name(s): Giulia F. Massaglia and Barbara Noesnzo
Artist(s) name(s): Giulia F. Massaglia and Barbara Noesnzo
Name of accompanying book/booklet: Tarot Mucha
Number of pages of book/booklet: 128; 71 in English
Author(s) of book/booklet: Lunaea Weatherstone
Available in a boxed kit?: No
Reading Uses: General, romance
Artistic Style: Art Nouveau, in the style of Alphonse Mucha
Does it follow Rider-Waite-Smith Standard?: Yes
Does it have extra cards? If yes, what are they?: No
