Pamela Colman Smith

Pamela Colman Smith

Pamela Colman Smith, born on February 16, 1878, in London, was a gifted writer, illustrator, and the creator of the famous Tarot of A. E. Waite. From an early age, she was exposed to the theater and art world, thanks to her parents who were enthusiastic supporters of both. Manchester, where she grew up, was a center of spiritualism at the time, and it is likely that young Pamela was introduced to it early on through her mother.In 1889, the family moved to Jamaica, where her father was involved in railroad construction. In 1893, Pamela moved with her father to New York and studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, one of the leading private art schools in the United States. Here, she was a student of Arthur Wesley Dow, who inspired her with his spiritual approach to art. He taught her to hear colors, see sounds, and smell music, an influence that remained evident in her work throughout her life.1899 was a successful year for Pamela. She published three of her own books and illustrated several important works by other authors. Her career as a writer and artist seemed promising, with exhibitions in the United States and involvement in literary circles in London. In England, she met poet William Butler Yeats, who introduced her to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.Pamela was a synesthete, meaning her senses were uniquely interconnected. For example, she could see colors when hearing sounds. This rare talent set her apart and manifested in her art.Between 1908 and 1909, Pamela created her most famous work: the illustrations for the Tarot cards of A. E. Waite. In a letter from November 1909 to Stieglitz, she mentioned completing 80 images for a Tarot deck, but receiving little payment for it. The cards were published in December 1909 by Rider & Sohn as "Tarot Deck." At that time, it was not customary to name the artist or give them royalties.Despite praise for her work, great success eluded her. Pamela lacked business acumen, which contributed to her financial difficulties. She died poor but not lonely on September 18, 1951, in Bude, Cornwall. Her small estate was left to her good friend Nora Lake. Pamela's life and work were driven by fairy tales, legends, myths, and especially music. Her contributions to art and the Tarot continue to have a lasting impact.