Favole Tarot - gothic imagery by Victoria Francés
Few tarot decks are as deliberately gothic as this one. The Favole Tarot breathes Victorian romance, paleness, shadow and melancholy. Every card is a small work of art with pale figures, dark backgrounds and an atmosphere that is both tender and dark.
The deck is designed by Victoria Francés, a Spanish illustrator known internationally for her gothic style. Her work appeared earlier in graphic novels and art books. In this tarot deck she translates the 78 arcana into her own visual language: Victorian, romantic, full of longing and inner shadow.
What you see on the cards
The colours are muted tones of purple, dark red, sepia and black. The figures have large eyes, pale skin and often wear long robes or Victorian clothing. Backgrounds contain details such as old churches, moonlight, roses, crows and symbols that reference death and desire.
The symbolism deviates from the classic Rider-Waite style. Francés follows the structure of the tarot, but fills it with her own iconography. This makes the deck more suitable for intuitive readings than for people who want to follow fixed meanings.
The cards are printed on sturdy card stock with a matte finish. The size is 66 x 120 mm, small enough to shuffle but large enough to see the details. The quality is what you expect from Lo Scarabeo: solid production, good cutting.
Who this deck works for
This is not a starter deck. The images ask for your own interpretation and offer little support for beginners who want to work with standard meanings. If you already have experience with tarot and you feel drawn to gothic imagery, this deck is a logical choice.
Many people use the Favole Tarot for creative purposes: writing inspiration, character development, atmosphere research. The cards immediately evoke an emotion or story. That makes them useful outside the classic spread.
Pull one card and study the background. Francés often hides small details in the shadows that amplify the charge of the card.
About Victoria Francés
Victoria Francés is a Spanish artist who gained recognition from the 2000s onwards with her gothic fantasy illustrations. Her work appeared in graphic novels such as 'Favole' and 'Lágrimas de Piedra', and in numerous art books. She became a cult name in the gothic subculture.
Her style is characterized by paleness, romance, melancholy and an almost old-fashioned refinement. She often uses watercolour and digital techniques to create images that feel both classical and contemporary.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (Major and Minor Arcana)
- Size: 66 x 120 mm
- Material: sturdy card stock with matte finish
- Guidebook: multilingual booklet (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German)
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Illustrator: Victoria Francés
Questions we often get
Is this deck suitable for beginners?
That depends on how you read. If you work with fixed meanings from a book, you will struggle. The images do not follow standard symbolism. If you read intuitively and feel drawn to the imagery, you can work with it directly.
Does the guidebook include English text?
Yes. The guidebook is multilingual and includes English. The text contains basic meanings for each card. For deeper study you can use general tarot resources.
