On Sunday, September 22, 2019, the original painting for Ryan Pancoast’s Linden, the Steadfast Queen sold on the MTG Art Market for a regal $6,000!
Linden, the Steadfast Queen by Ryan Pancoast, oil on stretched canvas, 18” x 24”
Linden, the Steadfast Queen by Ryan Pancoast is a work of oil on stretched canvas measuring a very large 18 inches by 24 inches, a sizeable work for both Magic and the artist. It is title illustration for one of the signature characters of the newly released expansion Throne of Eldraine. Queen Linden is married to King Kenrith, and they rule over the lands we explore in the set.
The auction was run on the MTG Art Market by the artist’s agent Vorthos Mike, and began with a $3,000 Twitter Direct Message private bid. Public bidding began immediately, and continued throughout the week. On the last day in the closing minutes, it came down to a single public and single private bidder. An advance to $6,000 from $5,525 would be the hammer-stroke, as the private bidder revealed himself and waved the white flag, thus sealing the victory and ending the auction.
Look at the close-ups of this yet again striking piece from Pancoast. No matter the assignment, the artist delivers.
Pancoast was given full creative license to design Linden from the ground up, and what a fabulous job he did leaving no detail unaccounted for. He shared a bunch of his thumbnail and early rough sketches son Twitter beginning with the circle of Ardenvale and carrying that motif through the design in every way imaginable.
Even her dress is functional:
The thought that went into the design of this character is true testament to Pancoast’s prowess as an artist, and he delivered yet another incredible artwork for Magic.
Linden, the Steadfast Queen on Pancoast’s ‘Yellow Wall of Unrevealed Art’ watching over his son Noah play Lego.