 Prelude to a Million Years : A Book of Wood Engravings is a 1933 wordless novel consisting of thirty wood engravings by American artist Lynd Ward ( 1905 – 1985 ) . It was the fourth of Ward 's six wordless novels , a genre Ward discovered while studying wood engraving in Europe , and delved into under the influence of the works of Frans Masereel and Otto Nückel . The symbol @-@ rich story tells of a sculptor who , in his quest for ideal beauty , neglects the reality of the struggles of his neighbors in the depths of the Great Depression . The engravings are done in a softer Art Deco style in contrast to the German Expressionism @-@ influenced artwork of Ward 's earlier works . 
