Inspired by Max Beckmann, a German painter, printmaker, and sculptor active during the early 1900s, visual artist Nicholas Jacobs has just introduced the Departures Tarot Kickstarter campaign, a deck that blends esoteric wisdom with the stark realities of the New Objectivity movement from the late 1920s.
Max Beckmann’s work featured undercurrents of moodiness or unease in his works as part of the German New Objectivity art movement. This early 20th-century style emerged as a response to the expressive romanticism of Expressionism, instead opting for a raw, unfiltered portrayal of the world. The movement’s themes—war, corruption, and societal disillusionment—are just as relevant today as they were a century ago, making this deck a thought-provoking addition to the tarot landscape.
For Nicholas Jacobs, growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, meant unexpected exposure to great works of art, particularly through the St. Louis Art Museum. There, the German painter Max Beckmann’s evocative, thick-lined compositions left an indelible mark. His painting Departures (1932) lent this tarot deck its name, while his earlier works—alongside those of Otto Dix and George Grosz—helped shape its aesthetic. Like its artistic influences, Departures Tarot doesn’t shy away from depicting life’s harsh truths, encouraging introspection and confrontation with the past.
While Departures Tarot follows the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith structure, it introduces unique artistic departures that emphasize the liminality of existence. Ghostly figures, disembodied limbs, and spectral echoes of past lives populate the cards, reinforcing the idea that tarot is not just about divining the future but also acknowledging the past. These elements invite readers to consider how their histories inform their present and future choices.
Building on the success of The Haptic Tarot (which achieved over 300% of its Kickstarter goals), Jacobs has once again embarked on a dramatically new creative journey that blends his love for a niche, yet significant movement in art history with an unfamiliar aesthetic rich in grit, texture, and immediacy.
With its striking artistic influences, raw emotional depth, and contemporary creative approach, Departures Tarot invites collectors to confront the past, engage with the present, and navigate the future. For those who seek a tarot deck that challenges, inspires, and resonates on a profound level, this is a project worth backing.
Support Departures Tarot from $50 on Kickstarter today and be part of its journey into the world of divination and artistic storytelling.
Leave a Reply