Virgil Finlay's Demon Face in Flames, Weird Tales August 1939

Occult pyromancy — the ancient art of reading visions in fire — takes terrifying form as a demonic, horned face materializes within writhing orange and white flames. Green-eyed and bestial, the fiery apparition sports pointed animal ears and a wild mane of smoke-white hair, suggesting a supernatural entity summoned through forbidden magic. This cover illustration for the story 'Apprentice Magician: the face in the flames' captures the pulp era's fascination with arcane ritual, elemental spirits, and the thin veil between human and demonic realms.