Idée : sa naissance, sa vie, sa mort

In this wordless novel from 1920, Belgian artist Frans Masereel traces the life cycle of an idea from its conception through its flourishing influence to its eventual suppression. Published by Ollendorff as a single volume of 83 woodcut prints, it stands as a landmark of the early graphic novel form, where Masereel’s stark, expressionistic imagery tells a universal story without a single caption. This series matters as a pioneering work of visual storytelling, demonstrating the power of sequential art to explore profound philosophical themes.