Johnny Depp continues his evolution as an artist with his latest collection Tarot. 

As an artist, Johnny depicts captivating figures from his life, dreams and subconscious mind. His intuitive approach to painting came to a head in his new release with Castle Fine Art titled Tarot. The set of four tarot-inspired works includes: ‘The Lovers’, ‘The Emperor’, ‘The Empress’ and ‘Strength’. Each artwork is hand-signed and emboss stamped with The Bunnyman emblem of authenticity, and gilded with decorative gold leaf, they can be read individually or as a set of four (framed or unframed). In their own way, each card is a window into the artist's life-story; his relationship and journey into fatherhood with his former wife and the singer/ model/ actress Vanessa Paradis, meditations on his latest role as King Louis XV in Jeanne du Barry (2023), and passion for the welfare of animals. Following on from The Bunnyman Genesis series (2023), this artwork collection re-imagines tarot's intriguing iconography in Johnny's uniquely symbolic visual language and technique. 

When considering the legacy of tarot-inspired artworks, there exists a rich tradition of artists playing with tarot in their studios throughout art history. Leading Surrealist Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) spent a decade designing his dreamlike pack, whilst the Mexican painter Leonora Carrington (1917-2011), imagined her deck with mythological creatures. As the the artworks were created from aspects of original pieces, Johnny has compared his contemporary approach to the ways in which Beat writers, such as Allen Ginsberg (1926-19) and William Burroughs (1914-1997), would deconstruct sentences to build new ones in their ‘cut up’ series. 

As with the traditional deck, Johnny hopes that collectors will be able to form their own meanings and interpretations from his artworks. The collection is available now to purchase from Castle Fine Art. 

All about Tarot 

‘The Lovers’

‘The Lovers’ is, as Johnny says, “the beginning of the story” for his tarot-inspired collection. It depicts a couple, caught in time, as the man extends a hand in which he holds a single red rose. Stood side by side, the figures evoke tarot deck depictions of ‘The Lovers’, who typically appear as kindred spirits. However, contrasting to traditionally mythic images of them as nude within Edenic settings, in Johnny's contemporary twist they are elegantly dressed partners who seem ready to dance. Wearing black and white, their matching outfits contrast with a soft purple background; marbled pools of paint reflect an earlier watercolour painting by Johnny. The inky piece also evokes dreamlike compositions by Marc Chagall (1887-1985), who depicted smartly robed couples floating through the sky, often surrounded by flowers. 

In Johnny's typical fashion, this romantic narrative gives way to deeper readings. The fluid colours and brushstrokes reflect a harmonious balance between opposite forces; masculine and feminine, conscious and subconscious, rational and intuitive. The cinematic scene, which evokes Hollywood glamour, allows for numerous readings. Johnny has stated that the male figure holding the rose is warding off danger and “protecting” the female; evoking an equilibrium beyond purely romantic love. Swept into the evocative, hazy composition are themes of harmony, choice and commitment. By extending a rose outwards, the artist also invites viewers to enter the frame of this scene, read this image within the context of their own lives, and take their next steps in ‘The Lovers’ timeless dance. 

'The Lovers' is available now to buy from Castle Fine Art. 

 The Lovers (Tarot) by Johnny Depp, 2024

‘The Emperor’

‘The Emperor’ faces viewers as a quietly authoritative and powerful figure. Yet, while cloaked in traditional iconography, the eyeless character has been framed in a more mysterious manner, infusing intrigue to this card-like composition. With detailed embellishments in gold leaf and gloss, the figure wears a red gown, decorative lapel, elaborately coiffed wig and a gold crown, ‘The Emperor’ appears in the style of a 17th century French monarch. This design was inspired by an artwork Johnny created while filming the historical drama Jeanne du Barry (2023) in Versailles; playing the leading role of King Louis XV, he became inspired by images of distinguished rulers. 

While the character's cheeks are rouged and his lips are defined, his pale countenance is eyeless and takes on a mask-like quality. Seemingly, the stately costume is missing its sitter and, according to Johnny, this reduction in identity was a purposeful indication that “he's not really there.” Positioned against a deep red background, and encircled by his own dark shadow, the character also appears deeply contemplative, as if he is looking inwards. Exalting the virtues of self-reflection, he evokes the idea that true authority can be found in calmness and contemplation. He invites viewers to look beneath the cloak of power and authority for the true sources of strength. Within the wider Tarot series, Johnny’s eyeless Emperor is placed next to ‘The Empress’, as if extolling the trustworthy, maternal presence of his mighty female counterpart.

'The Emperor' is available now to buy from Castle Fine Art. 

The Emperor (Tarot) by Johnny Depp, 2024

‘The Empress’

Associated with femininity, motherhood and authority, ‘The Empress’ is a figure of beauty and grace. Taking on the appearance of a Mediaeval princess or Pre-Raphaelite model, her long, flowing locks appear golden, framed by the jewelled crown upon her head. She gazes outward, with sincere emerald eyes and porcelain-coloured skin. On the surface, she's the picture of regal elegance but her profile is of personal significance to the artist, who drew inspiration from a portrait he made for Vanessa Paradis, the mother of his two children, for the cover of her studio album Divinidylle.

Throned against rich reds and uplifting yellows, the opulent palette of this mixed-media print evokes traditional depictions of ‘The Empress’. However, she has also been reimagined in more contemporary terms. Her refined features have been accentuated by the addition of a bold and calligraphic black line which shapes them. Adorned with expressive marks, her crown appears tarnished, which takes on symbolic meaning, as Johnny explains: “It looks like a crown that has weathered storms, it shows us a certain courage and strength of commitment. When you make a commitment to something you follow it through, no matter what. And that's kind of what her crown gives me... the Crown has been through a lot, she still shines”. 

'The Empress' is available now to buy from Castle Fine Art. 

The Empress (Tarot) by Johnny Depp, 2024

‘Strength’

“Why do you want to fight with something that doesn’t want to fight with you?” is the contemplative message etched into the surface of ‘Strength’. Closely cropped to fit the traditional frame of a tarot card, the giant elephant exudes ancient wisdom from its weathered skin. It's translated through detailed patterns, sensitively drawn lines and earthy tones, as the animal emerges from a dark background evocative of the night sky, speckled with white stars. A classic symbol of strength, the elephant is an important animal for Johnny, who admires its grace, thoughtfulness, empathy, and loyalty, among other inherent traits. “Elephants are mysterious creatures," he says. "They don't live with any sort of menace in their bones. They are incredibly protective of their herd and protect their own to the bitter end”. 

Furthermore, the image of the elephant holds personal relevance for Johnny, as the artwork is derived from a large-scale painting he made whilst living in London with Vanessa Paradis. The couple were expecting the birth of their first child, Lily-Rose, and Johnny felt deeply inspired by the maternal instincts he saw in Paradis during her first steps into motherhood. Meditating on his own approaching fatherhood and inner strength, Johnny picked up his paintbrushes and depicted the creature on canvas. In the following months, he felt that “a veil was lifted” when he became a parent for the first time.    

'Strength' is available now to buy from Castle Fine Art. 

Strength (Tarot) by Johnny Depp, 2024

The collection is available now to purchase from Castle Fine Art.