Tarot - Origins & Afterlives

Selection of Tarot cards including Austin Osman Spare, The Juggler, ca.1906. courtesy The Magic Circle Collection

Tarot cards are everywhere; but where do they come from, and what is at stake in the different forms they have taken? 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.

• 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.

Entrance to the exhibition is free of charge