The Art of Old

Magic is more than a game- it's a showcase for artists. The art of Magic has changed quite a bit as the game has progressed. I miss how it used to be- we no longer get cards like Durkwood Boars (see above image). This post is a very basic history of Magic art.

One difficulty in launching Magic was the amount of artwork needed- about 300 pieces- for just one set. Remember, Magic was not a polished juggernaught at that time. It was a completely new concept- a new genre- and it needed a lot of fantasy art quickly.  The original art design was directed by Jesper Myrfors, and he convinced a number of students at nearby Cornish College in Seattle to lend their talents to the game. The artists were given a good deal of freedom (modern sets are far more artistically cohesive). Look through the art of the first set, Alpha, here on Scryfall and observe the diversity of styles (now look at Zendikar Rising, released 27 years later, and observe the comparative homogeneity). But note, too, the overall tone the art sets for the game: those diverse styles worked together wonderfully to convey Magic's fantasy theme and diverse possibilities. It's light-hearted but a serious game. There are thousands of deck possibilities, with different themes and strategies, and the art reinforces that. You don't know what to expect- in the game or in the art. And it's a bit geeky.   

Over time, the art would get more consistent (within a given set) and perhaps of higher quality. And certainly feature more realism and power in its imagery. (In a way, it reminds me how video games have graphically progressed since the days of the 8-bit NES. As designers have more bits and computing power, the product gets increasingly real and menacing.) To see what I mean in Magic, let's look at some cards that have been reprinted several times over the years with new artwork. Check out how Serra Angel, Drudge Skeletons, Shivan Dragon, and Llanowar Elves have evolved over the years:

  

See the trend? The mechanics of the game are the same as they were almost 30 years ago, but the art has taken a more 'real' and serious tone. I wish I had the art knowledge and vocabulary to better articulate how this is conveyed, but it's clearly there.

Today, each set's art is planned right along with the theme and mechanics. Artists are restricted in color and style. The result is more cohesive but (perhaps) less original or unpredictable. And recents sets feature showcase cards (see Eldraine's here) that more closely reflect the inspiration for the set (Eldraine's was fairy tales).

The modern Magic game has tightened up the wording, mechanics, and cohesiveness within a set. It's improved in many respects from the original offerings. That said, art of old holds a special place in my heart. I miss that whimsical fantasy flavor and the game in its more original state- but more on that next time.