Leonardo Da Vinci Tarot - Renaissance aesthetics in classic tarot structure
Tarot decks inspired by historical artists are nothing new. But where many decks settle for reproductions, the Leonardo Da Vinci Tarot takes a different route: the cards are newly designed in da Vinci's style, not copied from existing works.
The deck contains 78 cards and was created by two Bulgarian illustrators: Iassen Ghiuselev drew the Major Arcana, Atanas Atanassov handled the Minor Arcana. They worked with the techniques and colour palette of the Renaissance: olive green, sepia, blue-grey, and careful attention to light and anatomy.
What you see on the cards
The imagery is classically Renaissance. You see muted earth tones, carefully rendered portraits, and backgrounds in which landscapes and architecture play a role. The figures have the expression and anatomical precision characteristic of da Vinci's work.
The cards follow the Rider-Waite-Smith structure. This means that both the Major and Minor Arcana are fully illustrated with scenes that support the meaning. The symbolism remains recognizable but is translated into the aesthetics of the 15th century.
The format is 70 x 120 mm. The cardstock has a silk-smooth finish that shuffles comfortably. The colours are printed with attention to the atmosphere of old paintings: no harsh contrasts, but depth.
Who this deck works for
This deck is designed for people who want to use the traditional tarot structure but find the Rider-Waite imagery too modern or too direct. The Renaissance aesthetic gives the cards a more serious, contemplative quality.
The 63-page guidebook contains card descriptions and art historical context. There are no spreads, but there is background information on the compositions and the choices made by the illustrators.
Look at the lighting and the background in every card. The illustrators paid as much attention to those elements as to the central figure, and those details can deepen your reading.
About Iassen Ghiuselev and Atanas Atanassov
Iassen Ghiuselev and Atanas Atanassov both specialize in classical illustration techniques. For this deck they worked together to create a consistent whole that respects the technical side of da Vinci's work without falling into direct imitation.
Ghiuselev handled the Major Arcana and gave the archetypes a monumental, almost sculptural strength. Atanassov drew the Minor Arcana and ensured continuity in style and colour.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
- Card size: 70 x 120 mm
- Material: sturdy cardstock with silk-smooth finish
- Guidebook: 63 pages
- Language: English
- Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
- Illustrators: Iassen Ghiuselev (Major Arcana), Atanas Atanassov (Minor Arcana)
Questions we often get
Are these reproductions of da Vinci's paintings?
No. The cards are newly designed in his style. The illustrators did draw on his compositions, techniques and colour palette, but the images were created specifically for this tarot deck.
Is this deck suitable for beginners?
Yes. The structure is based on Rider-Waite-Smith, so the symbolism is accessible. The Renaissance style does require a bit more focus than a contemporary deck, but the guidebook helps you get started.
