Il Tarocchino di Bologna
- Storia. Iconografia. Divinazione. Dal XV al XX secolo
The Tarot Cards of Bologna.
History, Iconographs and Prophecy.
From the 15th ? 20th century. By
Andrea Vitali and Terry Zanetti. Introduction by Franco Cardini.
The work entitled "Il Tarocchino di Bologna. Storia.
Iconografia. Divinazione. Dal XV al XX secolo"(180 pages with 328
color photos and 19 black and white photos, Editor Martina, Bologna)
published under the aegis of the city of Bologna was assembled by
Andrea Vitali and the historian Terry Zanetti, expert on popular
tradition. It is the result of several years of research that was
conducted in the most revered cultural institutions of Bologna such
as the Library of Achiginnasio, the State Archive, the University
Library and the Medieval Civic Museum.
This volume includes a very detailed documentation that sheds
new light on the origin of cards that Andrea Vitali believes date
back to the first decade of the 15th century and most likely can be
attributed to the city of Bologna. This theory is based not only on a
series of documents but also on the iconographic analyses of various
antique tarot cards from Bologna that display symbolism and
allegories quite similar to those present in Bologna's religious and
secular art of the 15th century. The cities of Ferrara and Milan have
long been accepted as the homes of tarot but, this new theory
supported by documents, could prove to be important for Bologna.
Should it be proven, it would mean that this game, based on the art
of memory (ars memoriae) and filled with philosophical Christian
mystical content originated in this Bologna.
This theory is further supported by the frescos found in the
Basilica of San Petronio (Bolognini Chapel) and by the 17th century
painting depicting Prince Francesco Antelminelli Castracani Fibbia
who lived during the 15th century and who is identified in the
painting by a note on the canvas that reads "Inventor of Tarocchini
Cards". Although the prince was long assumed to be a legendary
character, Andrea Vitali was able to locate documents that prove his
actual existence and trace his movement from his birthplace in
Tuscany to Bologna.
For the chapter on Prophecy, Terry Zanetti accurately
researched the tradition that is linked to prophecy. His research
started with a tarot card document (dating back to the first half of
the 18th century) from Bologna found in the University library.
Zanetti compared the tarot card interpretations found in this
document with those found in various card decks dating from the
second half of the 1700s, the mid-1800s and the beginning of the
1900s. From there she was able not only to reconstruct the history of
significant tarot prophets but to construct informative descriptions
for each card and prophecy based purely on tradition without the
prophetic attributes later added in the 1900s that lacked the
original traditions from Bologna.
The images in this volume come mainly from a documentary
collection (antique cards, paintings and incisions) belonging to "Le
Tarot", a cultural organization headed by Prof. Andrea Vitali that
conducts historical and symbolic studies and who's members include
many distinguished professors of medieval history, philosophy,
religion and anthropology. Other photos are taken from documents
retrieved from the Library of Archiginnasio, the State Archive and
the Medieval Civic Museum. Some photos were also taken of card decks
that were loaned to us by private collectors in Bologna.
This work will surely fill a great academic gap. Up until now
there have been no in-depth studies of tarot cards in Bologna that
did not concentrate exclusively on the aspects of the game. This
volume will be a fundamental periodical not only for the content and
the philological research that went in to it but also for the
important visual component.
INTRODUCTION
By Franco Cardin
Prof. Cardini outlines the historical importance of tarot cards which
are considered the most complete medieval symbolic system. He also
covers the anthropological value of their prophetic aspects.
PART ONE: THE HISTORY
By Andrea Vitali
Ludus Triumphorum and Tarot Cards
In this chapter, Prof. Vitali presents a general summary beginning
with the history of tarot, or "Triumphs" ("Trionfi") as they were
called in the 1400s. He then moves on to the meaning that was
associated with the four signs (money, cups, clubs and swords) and
the word "tarot", a term that appeared in the 1500s. Finally, he
explains the relationship between the game and the so-
called "Medieval Mystic Staircase" as well as other influences that
existed between the numerological tarot structure and eastern
theology.
Triumphs, Tarot and Tarocchini in Bologna: 1400-1900
In this chapter, the author elaborates on the history of tarot in
Bologna and discusses the most recent historical discoveries.
- The Documents
Information found in manuscripts, books, antique sculptures, pictures
and etches.
- The Traitor
An iconographic examination of the celebrated portrayal of "Appeso"
(punishment given to traitors) depicted in the Fresco of Hell in the
Bolognini Chapel of San Petronio in Bologna.
- The Cards
The oldest Triumph cards from Bologna date back to the 15th century,
tarot card variations appear during the 1500s, the substitution of
the so-called Four Popes (the Female Pope or "Papessa", the Empress
or "Imperatrice", the Emperor or "Imperatore" and the Pope or "Papa")
appeared in 1725 and continued to be printed until the 1800s.
- The Prince
The meticulous research conducted on the history of Francesco
Antelminelli Castracani Fibbia, 1360-1419 was based on the careful
study of the 17th century painting that depicts him. This research
led the author to formulate a new hypothesis regarding the invention
of tarot cards.
- Suitable Tarot Cards, Sonnets and Poems
It was fashionable to "suit" tarot cards for the occasion by
substituting characters with the most popular celebrities of the
time. In fact, this practice became a sort of sub literary genre
that this section covers in depth.
PART TWO: THE CARTOMANCY
By Terry Zanetti
- Magic Bologna: Among Memories and Tarots
In this chapter, the author seeks to remember Bologna as it once was
during her youth. Above all, she concentrates on the most typical
characters such as the famous fortune tellers or heirs to the age-old
tradition of "reading the cards".
- The Genesis of Fortune Telling
A close historical examination of the art of prophecy and it's
premonitory signs with documentation that spans from 1200 to the end
of the 1600s.
- Fortune Telling in Bologna
Enquiry into the origin of fortune telling in Bologna identified in
the 18th century. This subject is presented with the use of
historical documents and through comparisons made with the same
prophetic art practiced in France during the Age of Enlightenment.
- The Cards
Each card will include the following description: the symbolism, the
medieval allegory (iconographic study), the prophetic meaning with
interpretive examples, the combinations of cards, and finally, the
names of the cards in the local dialect of Bologna with reference to
the subject depicted on the card itself.
- The Prophetic Games
Description of historic fortune telling games through the evaluation
of tarot cards from Bologna.
PART THREE ? TEXT
Edited by Andrea Vitali
Collection of original and integral documents all related to the
history of tarot cards and the "tarocchini" of Bologna.
(presented by Associazione LeTarot)
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