Speaking about Pixie at Tate Britain

Finbarre Snarey November 2, 2026

Finbarre Snarey outside Tate Britain in London on 30 October 2026, where he delivered a talk on Pamela Colman Smith, the Pre-Raphaelites and the art of tarot. Wearing glasses, a grey waistcoat, a blue and lilac striped shirt and a colourful Rider–Waite–Smith tarot lanyard, he takes a selfie in front of the gallery’s stone façade, with the Tate Britain sign visible above the entrance.

A rather special Friday! I had the pleasure of giving a talk, The Pre-Raphaelites and Pixie: Pamela Colman Smith and the Art of Tarot, exploring the artistic and theatrical world that helped shape the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck.

I traced Smith's connections to the Pre-Raphaelites through figures including Ellen Terry, Edward Burne-Jones and Florence Farr, looking at how theatre, illustration and the people around her may have influenced some of the most recognisable images in tarot. Fascinating to bring together my research into Pamela Colman Smith's life, her artistic influences and the possible identities of the people she depicted in the cards.

As someone who has spent decades with the cards, standing at Tate Britain and talking about Pixie and her extraordinary work was a privilege.