Forest

Released in October 2009 as part of the Zendikar expansion for Magic: The Gathering, this basic land card represents the adventurous, exploration-focused theme of the set. Zendikar was designed to emphasize the thrill of discovery, with the basic lands featuring a unique full-art design that pushed the artistic boundaries of traditional card frames. This aesthetic decision was meant to reflect the raw, untamed landscapes of the plane, turning functional game components into immersive pieces of environmental storytelling.

The artwork was commissioned from French illustrator Véronique Meignaud, who was tasked with capturing the vibrant and otherworldly nature of Zendikar’s flora. Meignaud’s approach utilized a distinctive, painterly style that broke away from the more traditional, rigid landscape illustrations common in the game's earlier years. The card was met with significant acclaim from the player base, quickly becoming a staple in collections for its aesthetic appeal and the way it successfully elevated the visual identity of basic lands.