Number of Cards: 79
Card size: 12.4 x 7cm
Packaging: Handmade envelope with a 4-colour hand-painted design (verge paper 160gr)
First limited edition. Each deck is numbered from 1 to 400, and signed on an additional card.

The Gérard Bodet Tarot is the result of four years of research, rendering and restoration.

Made by Gérard Bodet, card maker in Liège, Belgium, circa 1693, this tarot is an exceptional example of what is commonly called the “Rouen-Brussels” pattern. Trumps II is CAPITANO ERACASSF | LESRAGNOL instead of La Papesse, and BACVS replaces Le Pape. It allows us to see how this design evolved to become the more characteristic Brussels tarot, and is even closer to the Vieville than other later designs. Apart from some isolated cards by different card makers, this complete 78-card deck is the only remaining 17th century example of this tradition.

The Gérard Bodet Tarot (limited edition) is the first and only reproduction of this deck recently acquired by the Musée national de la carte à jouer (Turnout, Belgium). Since its discovery around 1994, it has become indispensable – alongside the Vieville and the Adam C De Hautot – when trying to understand and reconstruct the history of the Belgian tarot. Predating the famous Vandenborre by more than eighty years, it unquestionably confirms that Jacques Vieville and Gérard Bodet used a similar model for their engravings. To me, the correspondence between their respective line drawings is so intimate, it feels as though Bodet is copying Vieville, in a touching, expressive, and burlesque style.

The Gérard Bodet Tarot (limited edition) by TSR innovates using traditional and digital art techniques to translate the poetry, beauty and character of the ancient playing cards. For this edition, I felt called to emphasise a more antique and aged look. The background of each illustration is rendered with high definition scans of paper used by printers in Liège, from the same time period. Each card has a different back and the borders are subtly darkened. The result is a deck that offers countless variations of texture and depth, bringing an organic vibrancy to your spreads. This Tarot represents the next step in the evolution of TSR, taking me deeper in my quest to create original art works that preserve the feeling of holding a piece of history in your hands.

When you purchase the Gérard Bodet (limited edition), you will receive:

• A true-to-life version of the Gérard Bodet Tarot, achieved through a process of hand-stencilled colouring, high-definition scans, and digital recomposition, to recreate the exact colouring techniques used by the master card maker.
• Handmade packaging: the design of the envelope is inspired by the traditional packaging used by 17th century cardmakers, and hand-painted in four colours.
• A high quality print on smooth, double-sided cardstock, for exceptional finish and ease of shuffling. Printed locally, with love and expertise.
• A limited-edition deck. Signed and numbered, from 1 to 400, on an additional card and on the envelope.

Be the first to receive your copy of the Gérard Bodet Tarot!