The Tarot Cards that Inspired Dior | The Visconti-Sforza Tarot Cards

All dressed up with nowhere to go! These tarot cards from the Morgan Library’s permanent collection represent the intersection of fashion, contemporary couture design, and Renaissance art. The Visconti-Sforza tarot cards, whose imagery can be traced back to ancient Egypt, served as the primary inspiration for the #DiorCouture Spring-Summer 2021 collection by Maria Grazia Chiuri. In this video, originally released in conjunction with the season's launch, Roger S. Wieck, Melvin R. Seiden Curator and Department Head of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts, tells the story of the deck. Bearing the name of two of Milan’s most noble families, it was commissioned in the mid-15th century as a display of prestige, and its misassociation with the esoteric only arose centuries later. Exquisitely illuminated and embellished with gold and silver, it was pioneering in its balanced inclusion of female figures.

[@annahatke2455]

This is a magnificent treasure! Wonderful video!

[@hermitofvisconti]

It's truly grand to see the exquisite and iconic detail on these classic works of art. Visconti decks got me started in tarot collecting. I have several versions of Visconti decks. I'm even trying to learn to read with them, but most are so darn large to shuffle...ok, impossible. My favorites so far are the the Lo Scarabeo di Madrone and the II Meneghello di Madrone version as well. I'll probably learn to table shuffle best with a Mary Packard deck, though, and won't have to worry about wear & tear on the other decks. Thanks for the opportunity to see your collection.

[@hyalos6894]

I love these. Thank you for sharing; inspiring for someone who is an artist and reads tarot also. I've never seen these cards.

[@hyalos6894]

That after each ending better things can come 🌊

[@rcartecorpus]

Its wonderful the museum have the firts tarot

[@zeldacheri]

I'm intrigued by the wood chest with the individual slots for storing the cards - is this original to the deck? And if so, is there another one to two for storing the rest of the deck (which I know are in 2 other collections)?

[@LouvicaCastracane-ry7dh]

grazie.
-)

[@carriespider8438]

What were the cards used for if not for devination? Was it a game and if so how to play that game?

[@LouvicaCastracane-ry7dh]

Turin

[@mrsmith4848]

So they sell those ? Because I have seen a pair very similar to those

[@LouvicaCastracane-ry7dh]

Pitfall / Command

[@LouvicaCastracane-ry7dh]

casino/ faith

[@hyalos6894]

Egyptian roots

[@WoodlandGoblin2025]

That guy should be wearing gloves while handling those Visconti Sforza Tarot cards.