On Monday June 15th, 2020, the record-setting, largest-per-square-inch oil painting ever made for Magic: the Gathering sold for $25,000 on the MTG Art Market. It was Joseph Meehan’s Core Set 2021 Solemn Simulacrum!
Solemn Simulacrum by Joseph Meehan, oils on watercolor paper adhered to board, 46” x 34.375”
Solemn Simulacrum by Joseph Meehan is a work of oils on a single sheet of watercolor paper adhered to board. It measures 46 inches by 34 and 3/8, and upon its reveal is the largest traditional painting ever created for Magic: the Gathering.
It was commissioned as new artwork for the Commander format staple card Solemn Simulacrum in Core Set 2021, and is printed edge to edge in Magic’s borderless frame for the first time. It can be found in both Draft Boosters and Collectors Boosters when the set releases on July 3, 2020.
The card was officially previewed by GameSpot; the auction, run by Vorthos Mike acting as agent for the artist, began shortly thereafter on the MTG Art Market.
The opening bid ask was a more than reasonable $5,000, and bidding jumped to $8,500 in the first few hours. Bids would pepper in throughout the week, and on the morning of the last day, the bid stood at $12,500 with someone bidding publically in the comments. Over the next twelve hours the price would more than double with bids from three unique public bidders; it was quite the auction to watch, as many at this bidding level elect to participate privately.
When the dust settled between two collectors with considerable wall space, $25,000 would win the day and take home the largest traditional Magic painting ever created. A historic sale, indeed.
Joseph Meehan has completed over 60 illustrations for Magic: the Gathering, but has only done a recent handful traditionally. The Dominaria Saga Phyrexian Scriptures sold for $8,100, the legendary menace Golos, Tireless Pilgrim sold for $10,000, and now the sad robot itself, Solemn Simulacrum. He is masterful in both mediums, and his traditional paintings seem to continually push the borders of exactly how big and how well you can paint a Magic card.
We’re not sure what’s next, but if history is any indication, you best start clearing some wall space.