New Centuries Tarot - drawn by an architect
Not every tarot artist is a trained painter. Rolf Eichelmann is an architect. You see it in the way he builds space: landscapes run deep, figures stand firmly in their surroundings, and lines lead toward a vanishing point.
The New Centuries Tarot combines Gothic atmospheres with modern colour planes. The figures are large and frontal, almost monumental. The card backs feature an organic pattern in purple that is reversible.
What you see on the cards
The imagery recalls late Gothic art, but with saturated colours you would not find in old engravings. The figures have broad faces and strong poses. They often look straight at you.
The landscapes are expansive. Where classic decks sometimes have a neutral background, Eichelmann builds entire worlds: mountains, forests, architecture. It gives each card a physical presence.
The symbolism stays true to the Rider-Waite tradition. The Chariot has its horses, the Hermit his lantern, Death his banner. But the execution is contemporary and powerful.
How it works in practice
The cards measure 82 x 111 mm, which shuffles comfortably. The cardstock has a matte finish that does not stick. The saturated colours immediately draw your attention, which helps with an intuitive reading style.
The background colours vary strongly from card to card. Eichelmann does not use them decoratively, but as an extra layer of meaning. An orange sky gives a different energy than a greyish blue one.
Pay attention to the background colours when reading. They often give a hint about the emotional charge of the card.
About Rolf Eichelmann
Rolf Eichelmann was born in 1940 and worked as an architect before turning to art. He paints with influences from the late Gothic and the Renaissance, but translates them into a contemporary visual language.
His architectural background shows in the composition: space, depth and proportions are always correct. He works both in Germany and in Greece.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (Major and Minor Arcana)
- Size: 82 x 111 mm
- Finish: High-quality cardstock with matte finish
- Card back: Reversible organic pattern in purple
- Language: English
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems Inc.
- Artist: Rolf Eichelmann
Questions we often get
How does this deck differ from a classic Rider-Waite deck?
The symbolism is the same, but the style is more modern and architectural. The figures are larger, the landscapes deeper, and the colours much more saturated.
Are the cards easy to shuffle?
Yes. The matte finish ensures they glide smoothly past each other without sticking. The cardstock is sturdy enough for daily use.
