From April 10-14, 2022, four original graphite sketches by Magali Villeneuve for her brand new Artist Series Secret Lair drop were sold on the MTG Art Market for a combined $18,200. The works were offered by Mark Aronowitz acting as agent for the artist, and sold shortly after the reveal of her new four card set for Secret Lair as a part of the Secret Lair April Super Drop.
Each work is pencil and soluble graphite with 22ct embellishments, measuring approximately 41cm by 33 cm, or 16.14 inches by 12.99 inches. They were sold in succession one day after each other by way of public auction, and are the only traditional elements for the cards. The final color artworks were completed digitally.
The first to be sold on April 10 was Elvish Mystic, a classic card that sees play across Magic, and started the set off strong with a price realized of $4,750.
Elvish Mystic by Magali Villenueve, pencil, soluble graphite and 22ct gold, 41cm x 33cm
Next on April 11 came the Death’s Shadow. An incredibly popular centerpiece card in the Modern format, this work narrowly took the top spot away on the next day, selling for $4,800.
Death’s Shadow by Magali Villenueve, pencil, soluble graphite and 22ct gold, 41cm x 33cm
The third hammer came down on April 12, when her brilliant take on the Mother of Runes kept the momentum with an ending bid of $2,900.
Mother of Runes by Magali Villenueve, pencil, soluble graphite and 22ct gold, 41cm x 33cm
And the final work to sell was Magali’s first basic land, a Forest. In my opinion it was the pièce de résistance of the four, and realized the highest price at $5,750.
Forest by Magali Villenueve, pencil, soluble graphite and 22ct gold, 41cm x 33cm
Magali Villeneuve has illustrated more than 150 cards in her close-to-ten-year career with Magic. These four have pushed her work to new heights, allowing her signature figurative style to shine through in a series all her own. Congratulations Magali; we can’t wait to see what you do next.