The Tarot Garden

Inspired by Antoni Gaudí’s Parc Güell in Barcelona and the Mannerist park Sacro Bosco in Bomarzo, Niki de Saint Phalle, together with her partner Jean Tinguely, created her sculpture park in Garavicchio, in the southern-most part of Tuscany. In this vast garden, the 22 cards of the tarot’s Major Arcana are represented in the form of enormous sculptures, 12 to 15 meters high, made of painted polyester and reinforced concrete, covered with mirrors, mosacis, multicoloured ceramics and Murano glass. This enchanted world was, for her, the ultimate achievement of her oeuvre, its culmination. Including texts written by Saint Phalle herself and explaining her thoughts and intentions in creating the sculptures, this book is a concise introduction to the garden. Moreover, it is a piece of art in its design, inspired and created by Saint Phalle herself.