On December 2, 2021, a captivating collection of five Planetary Basic Land paintings by Adam Paquette, created for Magic: The Gathering’s upcoming set, Unfinity, was sold for an impressive sum of $56,000 on the MTG Art Market.
These striking works—depicting Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest—are each masterfully executed in oil on paper, then mounted on Aluminum-Dibond, measuring 35 centimeters by 50 centimeters (approximately 13.8 inches by 19.7 inches). Commissioned for Unfinity, set to release on April Fool’s Day, 2022, these paintings continue Magic’s tradition of offering unique, full-art basic lands, this time exploring an entirely new and previously unseen location.
Adam Paquette shared the set on the MTG Art Market on November 30th, announcing that he would be accepting offers until at least the following day, December 1st, 2022. Following several updates and offers for the full set, a winning bid of $56,000 was made the next morning, securing these exceptional pieces.
In an exclusive conversation with both the artist and the collector for this Art Market Minute, we delved into the inspirations, challenges, and allure of these remarkable paintings.
Adam Paquette shared his experiences revisiting an Un-set (having previously worked on the full-art lands for Unsanctioned) and the unique challenges presented by the uncharted theme of space. He noted, “It was fascinating to explore a classic, old-school vision of space exploration through the lens of Magic, blending vastly different realms of my imagination. I drew considerable inspiration from visionary artists like Moebius and Dean, who introduced a mystical and organic perspective to sci-fi. An obscure childhood favorite of mine, ‘The Planet of Terror’ from Puzzle Master, illustrated by Alastair Graham, also played a significant role in my creative process.”
Paquette further explained, “Designing the planetary environments for Unfinity allowed me to interpret Magic’s color domains in an unrestricted design direction. This freedom enabled me to contemplate the environmental implications of these colors, beyond the traditional boundaries of lore or narrative.”
The artist also hinted at the extensive conceptual work that went into these environments, suggesting we may learn more about the creation of these extra-terrestrial locales in the future.
The collector, now the proud owner of these stellar artworks, shared their enthusiasm for acquiring such a unique set. “For many MTG collectors, a complete cycle of lands is highly coveted. The full art, Un-set lands hold particular significance, and the cross-genre appeal and aesthetic beauty of these pieces made them irresistibly compelling.”
These artworks now enhance an already impressive collection, spanning from Alpha to the present, and anticipation is high to see them displayed in their new setting.
As Unfinity from Magic: The Gathering prepares for its release on April 1, 2022, stay tuned to PrintMTG for more extraordinary artwork and updates on this otherworldly set.
