The Hierophant

A robed figure raises his hand in blessing between two pillars, two attendants kneeling before him, crossed keys at his feet. Pamela Colman Smith drew him in 1909 as the keeper of received tradition — the outward, institutional answer to the High Priestess's inner one. Smith, working at speed for a flat fee, gave the scene its solemn symmetry and its jewel colour. For a century the deck was credited to A. E. Waite and its publisher, and not to the artist who drew every line of it. Her 'PCS' monogram waits in the lower corner, where she signed all seventy-eight.

Maker

Pamela Colman Smith, for A. E. Waite

Date

1909

Medium of the original

Plate

Original held by

Published London, 1909 · scan: Wikimedia Commons

Credit

Published London, 1909 · scan: Wikimedia Commons

Rights

Public domain, verified

Catalogue number

PA-00432