Jacques HÉROLD. The Tarot Wheel. 1942. - Lot 117

Jacques HÉROLD. The Tarot Wheel. 1942. Original drawing signed and dated, Indian ink on octagonal paper (39.3 x 39.3 cm), framed. Superb Surrealist document relating to the famous Marseille game, invented by the Surrealist group in 1940-1941 on Breton's initiative. Retaining the principle of the Tarot de Marseille, he changes the signs and emblems: two red and black series symbolize the flame (love), the bloody wheel (revolution), the black star (dream) and the lock (knowledge). Twelve historical or literary figures embody the geniuses, magicians and sirens: Baudelaire, the Portuguese Nun and Novalis symbolize love; Lautréamont, Alice and Freud dream; Sade, Lamiel and Poncho Villa revolution; Hegel, Helen Smith and Paracelsus knowledge. The work was exhibited in 1986 in Marseille at the Centre de la Vieille Charité as part of the exhibition La Planète affolée (n° 133). At the time, it still belonged to the artist. Mention Collection Julien Gracq crossed out on verso. Sale Collection Jacques Hérold, 1998, no. 136, with reproduction inside and on cover.