Maurice Baskine: Le Tarot de la Conscience

[_R_]

One recent Tarot deck that has gone unnoticed, and unjustifiably so, in my opinion, is that of the surrealist artist Maurice Baskine, Le Tarot de la Conscience [The Tarot of Consciousness]. This was recently rediscovered and published in France, along with Baskine’s text as a LWB. (There are a few pictures online, but not many.)

 

Baskine had a strong interest in alchemy, astrology and Jewish mysticism, notably, and also produced some illustrations for André Breton’s Arcane 17, a work itself inspired by the Tarot. At the time, his deck and the manuscript for his booklet were favourably mentioned by a number of prominent writers, and we find the following praise for his work:

 

“To be sure, the Tarot has been the subject of a number of very interesting studies, especially in recent years, and among them is the unfortunately as-yet unpublished one by the contemporary artist Baskine.” - Jacques Bergier (author of the Morning of the Magicians)

 

“[Baskine’s work] gives a principally alchemical reading of the Tarot.” “Baskine is that student of Nature who knows how to extricate from the darkest matter the fire that smoulders and gleams when it comes into contact with a mind still in possession of its original gift.” - Aimé Patri (philosopher)

 

“I enjoyed Maurice Baskine, the phantasopher with the large round glasses (he called his philosophy of life phantasophy) looking for the philosopher’s stone in an athanor in his house in Fontenay-sous-Bois, and who would leave behind beautiful alchemical painting, a new Tarot deck, a triptych on the Great Work, and a magical object, the Photoron with mirror.” - Sarane Alexandrian (surrealist, philosopher)

 

This deck was produced using the drypoint technique of scratching ink, and is somewhat on the 'dark' side. Nevertheless, it may well appeal to some, for a number of reasons: its artistic value, its mystical background, or simply its novelty.

 

Some Links:
http://www.thesurrealists.org/maurice-baskine.html
http://www.mamc.cordessurciel.fr/portfolio/maurice-baskine/
http://www.artnet.com/artists/maurice-baskine/
https://surrealism.website/Videos_surrealism.html
(see lesson 17: 3 Surrealist Exhibitions)

 

A review of the deck (in French):

 

 

The deck is available on the usual platforms online, but it is probably cheaper to purchase directly from the publisher:

http://www.editions-bussiere.com/home/654-le-tarot-de-la-conscience-9782850906251.html

 

Edited January 25, 2020 by _R_

[gregory]

EXCEPT that the publisher charges A LOT for postage, I see....

[_R_]

13 minutes ago, gregory said:

EXCEPT that the publisher charges A LOT for postage, I see....

Really? I had no idea. 

 

In any case, it's out there, so those interested can shop around for the best deal.

[gregory]

Oh I bought it, and I thank you. It looks lovely - and from the few images on line, slightly reminiscent of the Mouré, though I gather it's black and white ?

 

I was just saying, for others. I bought from the publisher as I already had an account there - and postage was €11 as opposed to €5 on amazon marketplace ! Not a huge issue, but I was startled.

[_R_]

I think that must even the price out somewhat since the retail price on Amazon is more expensive. Anyhow, caveat emptor.

 

Yes, it is black and white, since only black ink was used (as opposed to being a black and white reproduction).

[gregory]

Caveat indeed. The amazon UK MARKETPLACE price was much the same. No worries. I shall be delighted to have it, and it does mean I support the publisher rather than Bezos !

[gregory]

Ah - the publishers send by DPD. That explains the "postage" cost. But it arrived, and as it WAS a courier, when it was due on a date when I was away, I was able to change it. That's always good - some mail that was waiting for me was decidedly damp.

 

I think the b/w could be better contrasted - a few cards are a bit muddy. And I am glad I read French...  It's going to take quite some studying.

[_R_]

As I understand it, the originals were never found, so the deck was produced from reproductions instead. The introduction to the booklet was written by the artists's nephew. 

There is also a blog by a Russian collector which gives further images, both of the cards and of the artist's other work. (Google Translate is helpful.)

http://kostenko168.blogspot.com/2018/08/blog-post_9.html

[gregory]

That would explain it. Thanks. (My browser has built in translate !)