Saturn (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #47)

This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “A”, and named<em> Firmaments of the Universe</em>. This series comprises the seven planets from the classical astronomy (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and the three celestial spheres that separate them from the Supreme Entity (<em>Prima Causa</em>) from which everything was originated.

Here, <em>Saturno </em>(Saturn) is personified as a full-length old male figure, turned to left. He rests on his sickle, at the top of which is a serpent biting its own tail. Saturn is about to devour one of his children, whilst the other four are seated at his feet.