Le bateleur

“Le Bateleur” by Giorgio Laveri: The Birth of Creative Power

With Le Bateleur, Giorgio Laveri invites us to step into the space where potential becomes action, where thought transforms into creation. This porcelain tarot card, measuring 32 x 18 cm, is far more than a decorative object — it is a sculptural work of art, grounded in the symbolic tradition of the tarot while fully embracing the visual language of contemporary art.

In the Marseille Tarot, Le Bateleur (The Magician) is the first of the Major Arcana. Marked with the Roman numeral I, he embodies the beginning of a journey — raw potential, readiness, and the spark of initiative. He is the one who holds the tools — the cup, the wand, the coin, and the blade — yet has not committed to their use. He stands at the threshold between illusion and creation, between play and purpose. Laveri’s interpretation of this archetype is distilled and modern, infused with energy, mystery, and clarity.

The black contour lines, deliberately expressive, suggest the immediacy of charcoal or lithograph drawing. The figure is rendered with an intentional looseness, evoking the gestural spontaneity of sketchwork, while maintaining a strong graphic presence. Over this drawing, Laveri overlays geometric color fields — soft sky blue, olive green, and a vibrant, lemon yellow that illuminates the central table. This yellow surface, almost altar-like, holds symbolic objects: a die, a cup, a blade, tools of transformation and choice.

Porcelain, as Laveri’s chosen medium, elevates the card with its smooth, luminous surface and refined presence. Each card is glazed and hand-finished, giving it a tactile richness and ensuring every piece is a unique interpretation. Unlike mass-produced tarot decks, this creation becomes a singular art object — both precious and contemplative.

And it is precisely this contemplative power that defines Le Bateleur. When hung on a wall or displayed on a shelf, the piece acts as a symbolic anchor — a reminder of creative agency, inner potential, and the decision to begin. In today’s renewed interest in esotericism and the spiritual dimension of objects, this artwork finds its place not just as décor, but as an energetic companion, a visual mantra, a quiet yet potent invocation of possibility.

Whether collected by a tarot enthusiast, a ceramic art collector, or placed in a meditation space or spiritual atelier, Le Bateleur resonates deeply. It is both contemporary and timeless, universal and personal. Its presence invites reflection, focus, and intention.

Ultimately, Giorgio Laveri transforms Le Bateleur from a card into a statement. This is not just a tarot image; it is the essence of the creator — the one who transforms old symbols into new languages. Like the artist himself, Le Bateleur inhabits the space between the material and the metaphysical, between ancient knowledge and modern form. It is a sculpture that reminds us: everything begins with a gesture, a tool, and the courage to choose.