Thoth Tarot 1943

Lady Frieda Harris created this striking watercolor, titled "Thoth Tarot." The composition is dominated by a full-length figure layered with symbolic imagery, set against a backdrop of concentric, rainbow-hued arches. The effect is dreamlike, drawing us into a world of esoteric knowledge. Harris uses translucent layers to build up the image, creating a sense of depth and mystery. The central figure, a pale outline of a woman, contains within it a smaller, more defined image of Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom. This layering invites semiotic interpretation: Thoth, holding a staff, becomes a symbol of the intellect. A small foetus hovers near the figure's legs, adding a layer of creation and potential. The vibrant colors, organized in circular bands, evoke alchemical diagrams and suggest transformation. The entire composition functions as a mandala, a visual tool for meditation and understanding the self. The lack of firm boundaries destabilizes the reading of the work, and its meaning shifts depending on the viewer.