The reaction of di-2-pyridyl ketone with copper dichloride dihydrate and tartaric acid in water afforded the title compound, [Cu(C(11)H(10)N(2)O(2))(2)]C(4)H(4)O(6). The Cu(II) atom lies on an inversion center N,O,N'-chelated by two di-2-pyridylmethane-diol ligands in a tetragonally distorted octa-hedral geometry. The tartrate anion is also located on an inversion center and has disordered hydroxyl groups, each with an occupancy factor of 0.5. The hydroxyl groups of the complex cation are hydrogen bonded to the carboxyl-ate groups of the anion, thus connecting the two building units.