Golden Tarot of Klimt

Golden Tarot of Klimt - Vienna Secession in gold foil and mosaic

Gustav Klimt used gold not as an accent but as a foundation. His patterns, his female figures, his ornamentation: all of it carries an intensity that is rare in visual art. A. A. Atanassov studied that visual language and built an entire tarot around it.

This is not a collection of reproductions of famous Klimt paintings. It is a new work that applies the style of the Vienna Secession to the structure of the 78 arcana. That distinction matters: Atanassov designed each image from scratch, using Klimt as his reference point.

What you see on the cards

Gold dominates. Not just as background, but as an active element in clothing, ornamentation and symbols. The figures have soft contours and are dressed in geometric patterns. The palette is warm: ochre, copper red, deep green, with cool blue tones as contrast.

Faces are often shown in profile or partly obscured. That makes the cards less immediately readable than a classic Rider-Waite deck, but richer in atmosphere. Where Rider-Waite is narrative, this deck is decorative. The emphasis falls on texture and emotion, not on a scene that explains itself.

Every card carries gold foil. Under indirect light or candlelight, the foil catches the light in a way that adds a real dimension to the cards. That effect largely disappears under fluorescent lighting.

Who this deck works for

This is not a starter deck. The imagery calls for interpretation, not recognition. The symbolism does follow the Rider-Waite structure, so some basic familiarity with tarot helps when reading.

The deck fits well with questions about emotions, relationships and inner processes. The sensual imagery makes feelings tangible that are otherwise hard to put into words. For anyone who likes to bring art and tarot together, this deck offers a great deal to work with.

Read with this deck by candlelight. The gold catches the light in a way that flat overhead lighting simply cannot replicate.

About A. A. Atanassov

A. A. Atanassov is an artist who translates classical art styles into tarot. For this deck he analysed Klimt's visual language and applied it to the archetypal structure of the cards. The result is not an imitation but a recreation in the same spirit.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78
• Card size: 66 x 120 mm
• Finish: glossy card stock with gold foil
• Guidebook: multilingual (including English and German)
• Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
• Artist: A. A. Atanassov
• Symbolism: based on Rider-Waite structure

Questions we often get

Is this deck suitable for beginners?
The structure follows Rider-Waite, but the imagery is decorative and requires interpretation. Some basic knowledge of tarot is helpful. For those starting out with no prior experience, the symbolism may feel abstract.

Does the gold foil appear on every single card?
Yes. Every card has gold foil, used to varying degrees. On some cards it forms the background; on others it appears as detail in clothing or ornamentation. It runs consistently through the entire deck.