The Empyrean Sphere, Mantegna Tarocchi — Antique Celestial Print

The Story in the Margin

Numbered fiftieth and last in the series, this plate maps the entire pre-Copernican cosmos in cross-section: Earth at the center ringed by the four elements, then the seven planetary spheres, the starry eighth sphere, and the turning ninth sphere or Primum Mobile, all enclosed by the Empyrean — the outermost heaven where God dwells, labelled here Prima Causa, the 'First Cause.' It is the summit of the Tarocchi's entire hierarchy, which climbs from beggar to pope, through the Muses, the Liberal Arts, and the Virtues, before ascending through the planets to this final vision of the created universe. The 50-engraving E-series was produced in northern Italy around 1465; despite its enduring nickname, it was never used as a tarot or playing-card deck, and although long linked to Andrea Mantegna, modern scholars doubt he engraved it and the true artist remains unidentified.

Materials & origin

• Material: 200 gsm gallery-grade, acid-free fine-art paper (FSC-certified).
• Print: Archival giclée, 12-colour printing, smooth matte finish for glare-free display.
• Artwork: Restored from a public-domain original; colour and detail digitally cleaned for large-format print.
• Origin: Made on demand and shipped from the print hub nearest you, cutting transit and waste.
• Framing: Sold unframed; ships rolled in a protective tube.