Prelude to a Million Years

"Prelude to a Million Years" is a 1933 wordless novel by Lynd Ward, comprising thirty detailed illustration engravings in a softer Art Deco style. The story follows a sculptor whose quest for ideal beauty leads him to neglect the harsh realities faced by his neighbors during the Great Depression. Ward's work reflects influences from Expressionism and the wordless novel genre, inspired by European artists like Frans Masereel. Through rich symbols and compelling imagery, it explores themes of societal neglect, artistic obsession, and the passage of time, all conveyed without words.