Dark Ritual

Dark Ritual was originally released as a common in the Alpha set of Magic: The Gathering in 1993, quickly becoming a hallmark of black-aligned decks for its ability to generate rapid mana acceleration. The Amonkhet Invocations version, released in 2017 as part of the Masterpiece Series, reimagined this iconic spell within the aesthetic framework of the Egyptian-inspired plane of Amonkhet. These premium, foil-etched cards were designed to be rare, highly decorative chase cards that could be found randomly in booster packs, serving as a prestige element for collectors.

The artwork for this specific printing was commissioned from Richard Wright, who utilized a distinct visual language to evoke the themes of the set, such as the cycle of life, death, and the worship of the God-Pharaoh. Wright’s composition emphasizes the ritualistic nature of the spell through stark, hieroglyphic-influenced framing and deep, atmospheric tones. While the card mechanical function remained identical to its original version, the Amonkhet Invocations design received significant attention for its polarizing frame aesthetic, which featured large, ornate borders that diverged significantly from the standard card frames of the era.