In April 2020, the original paintings for Chris Rahn’s three legendary creatures from the Magic: The Gathering expansion Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths were each sold on eBay—to expected and exceptional results. Each was commissioned for Magic’s new smash hit Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, and each original work sold for more than $5,000.
The action began on April 10, 2020, when the legendary Illuna, Apex of Wishes sold for $6,265.
Illuna, Apex of Wishes by Chris Rahn, oil on cradled board, 24” x 24” x 1.5”
Illuna, Apex of Wishes by Chris Rahn is a work of oil on cradled board measuring 24 inches by 24 inches with a 1.5 inch depth. Rahn paints large for his legendary creatures and planeswalkers, but this is the first time since the Art Market Minutes began that he has produced a perfectly square work.
The auction started at $699.99 opening bid—a ballpark range that Rahn always seems to start his eBay auctions around. Illuna began the day after it was previewed and jumped to $2,850 by the end of the first night. An almost $2,000 push in the closing minutes would push the final price to $6,265.
Launching a few days before Illuna’s finale and concluding April 16th, 2020, the King Kong reminiscent Kogla, the Titan Ape, sold for $6,306.
Kogla, the Titan Ape by Chris Rahn, oil on cradled board, 18” x 24”
Kogla the Titan Ape is also a work of oil on cradled board, measuring a more standard but still substantial 18 inches by 24 inches. Also beginning at $699.99, it rose more than $3,000 in the first day; by the weekend it sat at over $5,000. A final push at the end made this the top achieving Rahn work from this new set as it ended just over Illuna.
The final legend to be sold by Rahn came on April 20th 2020, when Jegantha, the Wellspring also sold on eBay for $5,876.
Jegantha, the Wellspring by Chris Rahn, oil on cradled board, 18” x 24”
Jegantha, the Wellspring is yet another oil painting on cradled board, sized the same as its simian brethren at 18 inches by 24 inches. This is Chris Rahn’s third and final legend from this set; as the new Companion mechanic gained traction through early testing, this painting’s price rose with it. After a slower start than the other two, its price realized would finish just under Illuna and Kogla.
Chris Rahn had one more work in Ikoria: Lair of the Behemoths, a spell that once again featured his legendary apex predator Illuna:
Boon of the Wish Giver by Chris Rahn, oil on cradled board, 18” x 24”
Boon of the Wish Giver is a work of oil on cradled board painted once again at the 18 inch by 24 inch size. The auction began halfway through the auction for Jegantha, and was sold on April 24 for $5,500. This is perhaps my favorite of the group, as it’s not only a brilliant depiction of one of the title character from the set, but exudes everything that make Illuna special: mystery, power, and an omnipotence that can be felt in both color and composition.
I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll be saying it again, but Chris Rahn is one of the best in the business within this world of Magic: The Gathering artwork. He is one of a select few go-to artists for commissions of this caliber, and as we’ve seen here, he delivers every single time when it comes to Magic’s most important Legends.
