Mantegna Question

In this picture of Luna from the Solleone edition, the arc branches off into two lines toward the end. As seen in this picture from an old version, the line doesn't branch. I know the Solleone edition is an E-series, but does anyone know what deck specifically it is based on, if any? I'm trying to figure out if that split line was simply an error on the artists part or if there might be more to the story. I can't imagine Solleone letting something like that go through if it wasn't in the original.

Mantegna

Hello Abrac,

I was lucky enough to get a Fac Similé Edition dated 1985 of Mantegna "cards".
You are right about facts on my Fac Similé who is based on BnF Paris exemplary. Who is apparently the best because unique one to be enlumineted in yellow on each cards.
But bear in mind that 9 different versions exists about Mantegna "cards".

Best

Yves Le Marseillais

As far as I know, there are two different versions of these engravings, known as the "E-series" and the "S-series".

You can find more information on these pages:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantegna_Tarocchi
http://trionfi.com/mantegna/

From the trionfi.com images, it seems that the detail of the branching arc does not come from the originals.

Marco

Thank you both for your replies.

Yves, do I understand you correctly that your Bibliothèque Nationale facsimile has the same split line as mine?

The Solleone is very close in every respect to one Trionfi attributes to Sweynheim, except for the split line on Luna. There are subtle differences though, enough to see that the Solleone is taken from another version. It looks like somewhere along the way someone intentionally added another line to the existing one to make a split.

The Solleone comes with a booklet in Italian. I can't read it, but with the help of Babelfish I found a section that I think might have some information on the reprint. Marco, or someone, could I trouble you to have a look at this scan and see if there are any clues regarding which deck the reprint is based on? I don't need a full translation, just some idea of what it's saying. Appreciate it!

Yeah Abrac a quick read suggests yours is from a 1725 version, according to the historian Vito Arienti.

Ahh...excellent frelkins. Thanks very much. I think I see the section you're talking about. They would appear to be taken from a work entitled, T. Card. Ruffo Legato. I'm going out on a limb here and guessing that must be an old book.

Draw me a line ........

Abrac said:

Thank you both for your replies.

Yves, do I understand you correctly that your Bibliothèque Nationale facsimile has the same split line as mine?

The Solleone is very close in every respect to one Trionfi attributes to Sweynheim, except for the split line on Luna. There are subtle differences though, enough to see that the Solleone is taken from another version. It looks like somewhere along the way someone intentionally added another line to the existing one to make a split.

Click to expand...

Hi Abrac,

To be more clear:
My Fac Similé BnF has only one line (no split lines) and... I do prefers this one.

I am not a specialist of Mantegna but like this artistic drawing of such Masters.

I am enough Nuts with Historical tarot decks and to add Mantegna to my ... passion is definitly unresonnable isn'it ?

Bonsoir from Marseille Port and City

Yves THE Marseillais )

Le Marseillais said:

Hi Abrac,

To be more clear:
My Fac Similé BnF has only one line (no split lines) and... I do prefers this one.

I am not a specialist of Mantegna but like this artistic drawing of such Masters.

I am enough Nuts with Historical tarot decks and to add Mantegna to my ... passion is definitly unresonnable isn'it ?

Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply Le Marseillais. I'm the same way. I know a little about the Mantegna but I'm no expert by any means. But I have always been attracted to it. I guess everyone needs a hobby.

In my booklet there is a section entitled "The Philosophic Significance," which basically describes each card and their sequences. For Luna it says:

"La sequenza si apre con la Luna, l'Artemide greca, la Diana latina, suscitatrice di sogni e di sensazioni, sorta di arco che congiunge il Cielo agli Inferni."

With the help of Babelfish I was able to translate it, I'm pretty sure it says:

"The sequence (i.e. cards 41-50) opens with the Moon, the Greek Artemis and Latin Diana; she provokes dreams and feelings. The arc is one which combines the Sky with the Lower Regions."

That explains the arc somewhat, but exactly who made it and why may never be known. I don't believe it is actually Artemis or Diana though. It's probably who it says she is, Luna. She was closely related to Artemis and Diana but was an earlier form.

I am sorry, but I cannot make much sense out of the scan posted by Abrac. It seems to be an introduction to the actual booklet, which was possibly written by Vito Arienti. That page speaks of an edict that in 1725 required the burning of the XXI card of the Tarocchino di Mitelli. The language of this text is quite difficult to understand also for a native speaker

About the meaning of Luna / Diana, Luna is Italian for Moon. It is common to personificate the Moon with an image of Diana, as it is common to personificate the Sun with an image of Apollo. I don't think the author of the XV century card had a notion of a Luna goddess distinct from Diana.

Marco