Verminaard - Dragonlance by Jeff Easley (1984)

This legendary high-fantasy masterpiece is titled “Verminaard” (also commonly referred to as “Dragon Highlord Verminaard”), painted in 1984 by the master of epic fantasy art Jeff Easley. Rendered using a traditional oil on illustration board technique, the composition utilizes a powerful, imposing sword-and-sorcery motif: the menacing villain stands proudly atop a rocky ledge with his arms crossed, draped in a luxurious, flowing white fur cape and clad in blackened, gold-trimmed plate mail with a distinct horned and fanged helm. Looming closely behind him is a massive, ancient Red Dragon with smoke curling from its nostrils, glaring down into a desolate, war-torn valley where shadowy figures congregate in the mists below. The origin of this specific piece stems from a milestone commercial commission by TSR, Inc., where it famously served as the front cover illustration for the 1984 Advanced Dungeons & Dragons adventure module DL2: Dragons of Flame, a crucial early entry in the landmark original Dragonlance campaign series. The compelling backstory of the artwork captures a major villainous milestone in tabletop RPG history, as it provides the definitive visual debut of Dragon Highlord Verminaard, the ruthless commander of the Red Dragonarmy, and his terrifying red dragon mount, Ember (known natively as Pyros). Easley’s dramatic use of contrasting lighting and volcanic tones permanently cemented this illustration as one of the most imposing, nostalgia-inducing villain portraits of the 1980s fantasy boom.

Professionally restored and reproduced from the original artwork, this print preserves the powerful visual impact of Jeff Easley's painting while offering exceptional detail and color fidelity for modern display. • Premium 200 g/m² matte paper • Exceptional detail and color reproduction • Professionally enhanced and restored image quality • Available in 12x18", 16x24", and 24x36" sizes • Unframed for custom display options • Printed in the USA