Tarot - Origins & Afterlives

31 January-30 April 2025

Opening hours:  
Tuesday- Friday, 10am-6pm 
Saturday, 10am-5pm

Tarot cards are everywhere; but where do they come from, and what is at stake in the different forms they have taken? Even a quick glance at the available decks reveals that few sets of symbols have travelled as widely or been put to a more radical range of uses. As tools to explore the unconscious, sources of artistic inspiration and emblems of counterculture, Tarot decks have served as some of our most powerful shapers of fortune, creativity and even identity. 

Our major new exhibition, Tarot - Origins & Afterlives, will present a sequence of critical moments from Tarot’s long history, exploring the cards’ iconographic origins and the profound transformations they have undergone in the hands of artists, mystics and writers.

Highlights include:

• Rare and Historic Tarot Decks: Explore fascinating examples like the Austin Osman Spare Tarot deck (c. 1906), presented courtesy of The Magic Circle Collection and Darren Martin.
• Historical Context: Learn about Tarot’s roots in Renaissance Europe and its evolution through mysticism, esotericism, and modern reinterpretations.
• Cultural Significance: Trace how Tarot has shaped creativity, influenced countercultural movements, and inspired modern artists and writers.

An extensive public program will accompany the exhibition, including academic symposia, screenings, readings and immersive events. Stay tuned for more details about the public programme schedule. 

Entrance is FREE with timed tickets. Booking will open soon. 

This exhibition is curated by Jonathan Allen and Martina Mazzotta, both Associate Fellows at The Warburg Institute, and Bill Sherman, Director of The Warburg Institute.

image: Austin Osman Spare tarot deck (c.1906). Courtesy The Magic Circle Collection and Darren Martin.

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