Doug Beekman - The Witchfires of Leth Cover Artwork (1987)

Artist: Doug Beekman

Title: The Witchfires of Leth: A Crossroads Adventure in the World of C. J. Cherryh’s Morgaine

Year: 1987

Author: Dan Greenberg

Publisher: Tor Books

Series: Crossroads Adventures

Medium: Mixed media on board

Size: 51 × 76 cm (20 × 30 inches)

Signed: Signed lower left

Original published cover artwork by Doug Beekman for The Witchfires of Leth, written by Dan Greenberg and published by Tor Books in 1987. The story is set within the world of C. J. Cherryh's celebrated Morgaine series, bringing her established fantasy universe into the Crossroads Adventures format.

The large-format painting depicts Morgaine, sword raised and surrounded by supernatural energy as armed warriors approach. Beekman's use of deep violet and blue tones, monumental architecture and dramatic lighting creates a particularly striking example of 1980s fantasy cover art.

Doug Beekman is an American fantasy and science-fiction illustrator whose extensive publishing and gaming career includes artwork for Dungeons & Dragons, Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, Magic: The Gathering, Middle-earth Role Playing (MERP) and J.R.R. Tolkien-related publications, alongside numerous fantasy and science-fiction book covers. His work has appeared for publishers and companies including TSR, Wizards of the Coast, Iron Crown Enterprises, Tor Books and Baen Books.