![After the Master of the Mantegna Tarocchi. The Sun, S-series, no. 44. Engraving with hand-coloring, 15th/16th century, on laid paper, a reversed copy, showing some modifications especially in the form of the chariot, the hand-coloring probably later (trimmed just outside the subject, a small worm hole at the lower left corner, a small paper loss at the top edge of the sheet just touching the border, generally in good condition). A winged Helios, the Greek sun god, also known as Sol, is shown holding a sun in his right hand while riding in a chariot past the zodiac sign of Scorpio. Phaethon, the son of Helios and the nymph Clymene, is shown plunging to earth. Greek mythology relates that Phaethon prevailed upon his father to let him drive the sun chariot, but he could not control its great steeds. He plunged to earth, setting the heavens afire and making Libya a desert. To save the world, Zeus struck him with lightning. 7 1/8 in. (18 cm) high, 3 7/8 in. (9.7 cm) wide. Bartsch 61[130]; K](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/NYR/2006_NYR_01680_0004_000(122150).jpg?w=1)
TAROCCHI of MANTEGNA
The Tarocchi of Mantegna prints date from circa 1470 and are usually described as cards. The word tarocchi and the name Mantegna are misleading in that the cards are not part of a tarot deck and the origin of the cards is incorrectly attributed to Andrea Mantegna of Padua. The cards may have originated in Ferrara, while other researchers suggest a Florentine or Venetian origin.
The Tarocchi of Mantegna decks comprise fifty instructive cards in five classes of ten cards each that follow a carefully ordered sequence. In addition to the images, each card contains a title and a Roman numeral centered at the bottom of the card and a sequential Arabic numeral in the lower right corner. There is also a letter in the lower left corner, marked in reverse order to the numerals, that divides the cards into five groups or classes.
There are two different extant Tarocchi of Mantegna packs. In the E-Series, the five groups are identified by the letters running E, D, C, B and A, and in the S-Series the letters run S, D, C, B, and A. The E-Series is considered technically superior in precision of outline and thirty-six of its images are reversed from the E-series. Both groups E and S have Arabic numerals 1 to 10 dealing with human society and the conditions of man, group D, 11 through 20 deals with the muses and their leader Apollo, group C, 21 through 30 arts and sciences, group B, 31 through 40 cosmic principles and the seven virtues, and group A, 41 through 50 focuses on the planets and the spheres.
The Tarocchi of Mantegna is undoubtedly an educational game encouraging a classical education, yet similarities between some of the images in the Tarocchi of Mantegna and Visconti-Sforza cards continue to intrigue researchers.
After the Master of the Mantegna Tarocchi. The Sun, S-series, no. 44. Engraving with hand-coloring, 15th/16th century, on laid paper, a reversed copy, showing some modifications especially in the form of the chariot, the hand-coloring probably later (trimmed just outside the subject, a small worm hole at the lower left corner, a small paper loss at the top edge of the sheet just touching the border, generally in good condition). A winged Helios, the Greek sun god, also known as Sol, is shown holding a sun in his right hand while riding in a chariot past the zodiac sign of Scorpio. Phaethon, the son of Helios and the nymph Clymene, is shown plunging to earth. Greek mythology relates that Phaethon prevailed upon his father to let him drive the sun chariot, but he could not control its great steeds. He plunged to earth, setting the heavens afire and making Libya a desert. To save the world, Zeus struck him with lightning. 7 1/8 in. (18 cm) high, 3 7/8 in. (9.7 cm) wide. Bartsch 61[130]; Kaplan, I & II, var.
Details
After the Master of the Mantegna Tarocchi. The Sun, S-series, no. 44. Engraving with hand-coloring, 15th/16th century, on laid paper, a reversed copy, showing some modifications especially in the form of the chariot, the hand-coloring probably later (trimmed just outside the subject, a small worm hole at the lower left corner, a small paper loss at the top edge of the sheet just touching the border, generally in good condition). A winged Helios, the Greek sun god, also known as Sol, is shown holding a sun in his right hand while riding in a chariot past the zodiac sign of Scorpio. Phaethon, the son of Helios and the nymph Clymene, is shown plunging to earth. Greek mythology relates that Phaethon prevailed upon his father to let him drive the sun chariot, but he could not control its great steeds. He plunged to earth, setting the heavens afire and making Libya a desert. To save the world, Zeus struck him with lightning. 7 1/8 in. (18 cm) high, 3 7/8 in. (9.7 cm) wide. Bartsch 61[130]; Kaplan, I & II, var.