Prelude to a Million Years

"Prelude to a Million Years" is a wordless novel by Lynd Ward, composed of thirty detailed illustrations in a softer Art Deco style, created in 1933. The narrative explores a sculptor's obsession with achieving ideal beauty, which leads him to overlook the harsh realities faced by his neighbors during the Great Depression. Ward's use of symbolism and imagery reflects influences from Expressionism, though his style is less intense than his earlier works. As part of Ward's exploration of the wordless novel genre, it delves into themes of aspiration, neglect, and societal struggle without the use of words, emphasizing visual storytelling.