Lady Frieda Harris (1877-1962) was a British artist who created esoteric and mystical paintings influenced by her interest in the teachings of Theosophy and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. She worked as an artist for most of her life and was heavily influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites and later became involved with the surrealist movement, experimenting with automatic drawing and painting.
Harris's artistic journey led her to meet Aleister Crowley, who would become her mentor and friend. Crowley, who was a controversial figure and founder of Thelema, an esoteric philosophy, collaborated with Harris on several projects, including the creation of the Thoth Tarot deck. Harris was responsible for creating the highly intricate and detailed artwork for the cards, while Crowley provided the esoteric and symbolic knowledge that informed the designs.
The Thoth Tarot is known for its complexity and is considered one of the most significant tarot decks of the 20th century. Harris's artwork for the deck has been praised for its beauty and depth, with some considering it a perfect visual representation of Crowley's philosophical system.
Posthumously, Harris's contributions to the world of art and mysticism have been recognized, and her work continues to inspire artists and occultists around the world.
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