Luna (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #41)

1467

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Allegory Ferrara

Dominant colour

Luna (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #41) is a 1467 by Master of the E-Series Tarocchi, a Renaissance work, depicting Ferrara, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
When & what style?: 1467 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

The painting shows a woman steering a chariot in the sky, pulled by two horses. This scene is interesting because it personifies the moon as a female figure. The detail of the horses pulling the chariot is notable, as it adds a sense of movement to the scene. The use of horses and a chariot in this painting is reminiscent of other works by the artist: Master of the E-Series Tarocchi (Italian, active 1400s).

The story of this work

Overview

This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “A”, and named Firmaments of the Universe . This series comprises the seven planets from the classical astronomy (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and the three celestial spheres that separate them from the Supreme Entity ( Prima Causa ) from which everything was originated. Here, Luna (Moon) is personified as a female figure steering a chariot drawn by two horses in the sky and above an imaginary landscape. With her right hand, she holds up a crescent moon.

Read the full account in the museum source.