Lynd Ward (1905 - 1985) was an American artist best known for his wood engravings — in particular, his novels without words, in which he tells a story entirely through woodcuts. His style combines Art Deco with German Expressionism.
Ward's woodcuts illustrated a 1934 edition of Frankenstein, published in New York by Harrison Smith and Robert Haas. These are outstanding, not only for excellence and power of design, but especially for insights into a disturbing and powerfully poetic work.
More than any other illustrator, Ward grasped the ambivalence with which the author of Frankenstein portrayed the "monster" (also called "Being", "creature", "fiend", "demon", "wretch", and "devil"). As seen by Lynd Ward, the Being is both pathetic and terrifying; his body is both athletic and deformed. You can pity him, sympathize and even identify with him, without quite wishing to hold his hand or let him cry on your shoulder.
Music by Shostakovich, 'String Quartet no.8'.
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