The Handmade Art of Tarot Cards

In a dusty, crowded shop in Milan, Italy, artist Osvaldo Menegazzi toils, as he has for decades, designing intricate decks of tarot cards. Every card a handmade work of art, Mengazzi draws and paints each one, starting with Death. Even the location of his shop has meaning, as the origins of tarot are thought to be Milanese with the oldest surviving cards dating to the mid-15th century. For Menegazzi, whether you believe in the power of the cards or not, they speak.
This Great Big Story was inspired by Genesis.
SUBSCRIBE: goo.gl/vR6Acb
Got a story idea for us? Shoot us an email at hey [at] GreatBigStory [dot] com
Follow us behind the scenes on Instagram: goo.gl/2KABeX
Make our acquaintance on Facebook: goo.gl/Vn0XIZ
Give us a shout on Twitter: goo.gl/sY1GLY
Come hang with us on Vimeo: goo.gl/T0OzjV
Visit our world directly: www.greatbigsto...

[@zinzolin14]

Osvaldo Menegazzi passed away this month on December 13, 2021. One of the modern world's greatest Tarot artists, you will be missed and your work and legacy will undoubtedly live on.

[@k.e3451]

He died on my birthday... I really looked up to this man, I'm devastated

[@DiamondsRexpensive]

This is sad. I wanted to go to his store.

[@Mabel-b1w]

❤❤❤ amen

[@zinzolin14]

@@DiamondsRexpensive they're on break right now (Aug 9-27) buy the store is still open so you can go visit them!

[@zinzolin14]

@@DiamondsRexpensive the store is still opened, you can definitely go visit them

[@herlanwijaya3566]

Sometimes i think your video is too short :( just when i start to get immersed in the story, it ends :(((((

[@LuliLulu]

such a tease isn't it ;)

[@Liliann31]

Herlan Wijaya I was just about to enjoy seeing him paint and draw the cards and then the dam video ends! !! way too short cmon

[@chrisbuentello9023]

I was thinking the same darn thing when I read your comment.

[@jakemachado3612]

Herlan Wijaya your gf said that😂 jk jk I just saw an opportunity and took it😂😂

[@caiosouzaart]

Completely agree!

[@izzysauls7737]

Imagine being this man's apprentice

[@jayveeaurea9091]

I wouldn’t even dare to do my readings with these cards. They’re just too precious to even shuffle. The amount of work that goes into each card is just way beyond what I can comprehend in an artistic point of view plus the amount of dedication and passion that he pours into each card and deck is just AMAZING!👏🏻👏🏻✨✨

[@TanyaChihuahua]

I wonder how much the cards cost (though I'm probably guessing REALLY expensive because they're all handmade)

[@Mushroom1882]

inb4 you gotta import them from Italy too so they're even _more_ expensive

[@bakapoco]

www.arnellart.com/osvaldo/ his daughter helps to sell some online! i checked, smaller cards are 40 euros and larger ones are 55 euros!

[@jelizabeth4535]

@@bakapoco really?? That's suprisingly inexpensive...

[@nah_.]

@@bakapoco wow that's actually really cheap

[@marce3324]

@@bakapoco i cant get to the page to actually order the cards...?? help please

[@monicherrie]

There's really something beautiful and inspiring about watching a person so passionate about his/her craft :')

[@kingbear119]

He looks like a divination professor in Hogwarts

[@virgenfj]

he belongs in the world of harry potter. so cool

[@dreamingsophie5792]

virgen fj now that you say it, he definitely would make a great wizard^^

[@BR-jt6ny]

My new headcanon!

[@theanarchonazbolinquisition]

The world of harry potter isn't all that cool, he is though.

[@ahaanh8456]

​@@theanarchonazbolinquisition I could make a argument but you are right

[@valentinatrls3865]

When you’re Italian and you actually live two hours away from Milan 😍 I’m going to visit that shop for sure

[@aSirzx]

That's it,, ☹️. I wanted to learn more, he seems so passionate. I wanted to know more of how he goes about design one, and what they all mean.

[@Liliann31]

S I agree, videos TOO SHORT

[@user-kd1lp4sv7k]

I've been working on my self-designed tarots and just today I've begun the creating of a new deck. This man is so creative and in fact, this vid helped me realize the theme I have in mind for my new deck.

[@Autritus]

Could we get a sneak peak or a review of this deck you're creating?

[@gunscotthdgaming69420]

*I need those right now for the STAND USERS*

[@VlRGlL]

SHOW ME MY STAND OLD MAN

[@frd9247]

Yare Yare daze this evil spirit got a nice ass.

[@sz7463]

its always fascinating to see someone talk about something they are so passionate about. great video

[@peaceloveandlightworker8958]

I've been reading cards for nearly 20 years. They're amazing insight to the psyche and accessing intuition.

[@peepy5122]

Yeah,

[@Tetsirou]

STAR PLATINUM

[@FreshPwncakez]

Big Boss 1:30 ORAORAORAORA

[@lumeanoastra1252]

THE WORLD!

[@marsdoodles2.0]

ZA WARUDO

[@nedisahonkey]

Great video but the Tarentella? REALLY? You guys normally have such great music choice and this is the most obvious choice there is. Besides thats a southern italian song/dance.

[@rokeeffe91]

LOL... I didn't even notice until you mentioned it... kinda screwed up though yeah I agree

[@astralshowers9924]

This touches me on quite the spiritual level, as I work with tarot often. He is right, the cards do speak, my first deck showed that to me. I bought them for the art and suddenly I was learning how to read them, like a sort of inexplicable pull! I've come to find that not only are they remarkably accurate, but that they are a wonderful way to connect with and help others. Tarot readings aren't about telling the future like in the movies, it's honestly a lot like therapy. They allow you to open up and subjectively talk about your problems, and what you can do to help yourself going forward, it prepares you for the future. I love how he starts with the Death card each time, and I'd love to commission Mr. Menegazzi one day, though I admit that feels like a pipe dream, as surely they are quite expensive and I sadly don't speak my ancestry's language. He seems to have a nigh intimate connection to them that one day I hope to achieve at least.

[@SancheoTarot]

Thanking you for this video, but oh, I would love to see more - may you create a longer documentary on what you do Osvaldo, Blessed Be x

[@jerellykuomeikwan9494]

all the people in Great Big Story seems to have so much passion on what they did. and proud of it. no regrets on following this channel. 🖒🖒🖒

[@torninblack9904]

this man is so amazing and pure

[@LifeFullofDays]

Such an amazing talent and inspiration rest in peace.

[@darrylsurbakti9504]

wow, would love to have one, such art

[@gaboratoria]

Much skills

[@LadyGTarot]

Very much enjoyed to see the working space of a tarot artiste.

[@maitri5265]

Oh my god this morning I have just searched "How it made tarot cards" all over internet and right after that you guys posted this! Thank you so much, Great Big Story. --- P/s: When they produce a large quantity for selling, do they just handmake the first sample then use a printing machine?

[@jennifer9084]

The Art is beautiful

[@Yahonggames168]

For someone who has worked on tarot customization for over 10 years, blogger you are a professional

[@KittoKittoMawateIru]

Beautiful!

[@michaeljoseph1707]

Death 13 is a really interesting stand since a baby controls it. Life and Death get it?

[@salamiiscrazi4194]

I respect the man's passion and love for his craft/lively Hood...even if I believe personally Tarot cards are kinda bullshit.

[@adrianac3258]

sam iscrazi But the art he does in them are quite beautiful even if you you do not believe in them.

[@salamiiscrazi4194]

Laazulnocturna When did I say they weren't beautiful

[@JazAcrossTheWorld]

sam iscrazi they're not though, check out the mystery school where they teach about the occult

[@AqueleSimao]

Even if you don't believe in their mystical properties, tarot cards still tell the tale of the fool and work with archetypes of Jungian psychology, so they might be bullshit in one sense, but still help you.

[@artonline8435]

Amazing LOVE IT ♥ I think the history/legend of the Tarot is fascinating, I also felt inspired to create the cards, big project, they are so many.

[@fortune_roses]

Fascinating.. I wish there was more about this artisan

[@patti...]

💚 so cool...one day I want to visit his shop.

[@zenclover8468]

Id like to see more of that guy and those cards

[@mo.ryu04]

Ey keep up the good videos and also when I watch your videos it gives me inspiration to do stuff I can't do

[@h3ntaicannon720]

AVIAN GAMER ur the second person to comment

[@aonoa9707]

ZA WARUDOOO!!

[@rain51dbb]

i get so much information with this channel

[@icecream6680]

so beautiful !!! i want to visit his store

[@FutileGrief]

So beautiful!

[@tineshacprivate1928]

Queen

[@gaboratoria]

This is when I'm happy to know Italian

[@Mac-nx1hg]

The music reminds me of my Nonas music that always played in her house

[@TurnTwister]

[@Smug924]

「TurnTwister」 my name is Jojo

[@FreshPwncakez]

「TurnTwister」 it was only a matter of time, STAR PLATINUM ORAORAORA

[@donutello_]

「TurnTwister」 fuckin weeb HERMITO PERPERU

[@victormorris8276]

OH MY GOD!

[@whitemagegoose]

I figured a Persona meme would actually be better, considering the game is based around Tarot cards.

[@mioaratomotei4006]

Grande arte e questo ,complimenti signore !

[@smolcutie1773]

I don't believe that tarot cards can tell the future but I love them just for the art 😂😂😂

[@glowbirdsongs2120]

As a member of the Menegazzi family, I can say art like this runs in our blood... I would love to meet this distant relative of mine...

[@v0rt3xzstar72]

HERMITO PURPOL

[@georgejowell6003]

I can use toes card thing to my Icebook decoration or my math book cover

[@kylin3197]

HERMIT PURPLE!!!

[@PastaMasta123]

Damn now I want a set!

[@JoeChanTV]

lovely

[@blumeyc]

Would have loved to see more

[@La_abbess]

I would love to see more

[@nadia_margaret_3458]

😍

[@rat-elixirs]

It's really hard to read light text over light things on the screen. Could you guys maybe put the captions over a semi transparent black color or upload them to youtube so people can change the appearance themselves?

[@robertbakeriii8225]

I would like to purchase a deck. I wonder if there's a way to do that online?

[@adriancreates3086]

I need a deck from this guy

[@ihrtblanchett]

This guy LITERALLY looks like Ollivander from Harry potter.

[@midoriya7097]

He's a stardust crusader

[@scoutthefox7154]

Wow

[@JimmyPixel77]

I don't believe in tarot but I wanted to know more! :O Nice video as always!!

[@kikiwang340]

What is the shop called? I would LOVE to visit there one day

[@nadia_margaret_3458]

Planning my visit there soon

[@brucenguyen1595]

It's "Il Meneghello".

[@Hitman_4Hire]

I want to buy one now

[@CrimsonDalek]

This is awsome

[@lunaseur327]

*Walk like a Egyptian plays*

[@mclovin2239]

they look so cool! though I honestly prefer Jamie Hewlett's rendition of them.

[@zinzolin14]

I want to visit his shop!

[@billypeep399]

I'm making tarot cards myself

[@cestlalvie_]

show yourself giorno giovanna

[@FreshPwncakez]

Muthia T Rustiadi 0:33 said Passion, he's part of the gang, confirmed

[@donutello_]

what a beautiful jojoke.

[@FreshPwncakez]

ZA WARUDO

[@The_NPC20]

@@caise3910 The World

[@zarina.mekebayeva]

Really these cards need to be framed

[@branman3336]

I kinda wanna see the whole process

[@Fable_Hound]

Really interesting! I have a friend who reads Tarots.

[@suntzu3541]

I have friends that can read, too! Or are you saying your friend is a scam artist? Lmao

[@ArnellAndo]

Osvaldo Menegazzi is an international treasure. A brilliant, beloved Tarot artist & historian. Whenever we go to Milan, his shop is the first place to explore. It's a mesmerizing & enchanting place! You can see more of his decks & artwork here: www.arnellart.com/osvaldo/index.htm Thanks!

[@christophera4090]

No Subaru shilling in this one?

[@toBe8ere]

huh didn't know they were actual playing cards like Hanafuda or Lotería

[@wafaaahmed3488]

I wonder what material and techniques are used to make the drawing in 1:09 What is the name of this art i need tutorials

[@agungmuntara8880]

I like 15century tarot card but i didnt like the minor arcana because theres no illustrasion

[@holyyarnstore]

Where in Milan? would like to go there

[@ianbenedicttinola6770]

I only want star and hermit and magician and hierophant green and chariot and thr world

[@jennifervonpickartz2428]

I thank G-d for You

[@Ryuko-Inoue]

I butter log have a dream TO GET A STANDO POWAH

[@starchild3889]

Name the music plz which wasplayed in starting

[@bengun1071]

I wannaa sayyaa niiccaa caaardddaaa

[@cadeburkhammer5942]

They are hand printed from blocks? and hand colored?

[@Prudenthermit]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💃

[@sabrinabrunett1016]

IL meneguello

[@La_abbess]

When this corona Illness is contained, can I please visit and intern with you💚

[@mskelseypeters]

but how??? how does he make them by hand?

[@thrap1]

Un po' mi dispiace che per un video ambientato a milano usino la tarantella napoletana.

[@CherubimsCloud]

where can i buy these???? i n e e d them

[@alexalestareon695]

Where can I buy a deck???

[@republic-ld3hq]

That is real art. Unlike bullshit modern art. People just fucking put shit together or put paint everywhere and call it art.

[@liawatson5789]

LagiNaLangAko23 😂

[@armandblake]

Neapolitan song, we are in Milan… WTF?

[@momo.netorare898]

IS THAT A MOTHERFUCKING JOJO REFERENCE?????

[@liawatson5789]

Miya Shimizu where?

[@geronimopacis]

I want one...

[@LynxOnyx-LynxGraphics]

Da Vinci, is that you?

[@KaylaMichelleASMR]

Fantastic channel! I hope you’d enjoy our videos too! Let me know what you think and please have an amazing! 🌸🌑

[@stormnus580]

*jOjO rEfErEnCe*