Ari Glas produced a wordless novel, Through the Night, in 1943 and reprinted it two years later in Israel as, Leilot.
Ari Glas (ערי גלס in Hebrew), born Erich Glas, was a German and Israeli painter, graphic designer, illustrator, and photographer.
During World War I Glas served as a pilot in the German Army. In the years 1919-1920, he studied at the Bauhaus school (one of his teachers being Lyonel Feininger), specializing in woodcuts and linocuts. Following the Nazi party’s rise to power he immigrated to Palestine in 1934.
Glas’ wordless story arose out of rumors of concentration camp atrocities. It was first published as Through the Night and then in a later edition as Leilot. Scott Ponemone has written extensively in his blog as to their creation.
During a few nights in 1942, Erich was lying down sick with high fever. While he was burning with high temperature, he was having horrific visions. Still feverish, he started making sketches, and once he got better, he set out to create the full series.
From Scott Ponemone’s blog in discussion with the artist’s grandchildren.
1943 Through the Night – limited to 200 copies.
1945 Leilot (לילות in Hebrew; “Nights” in English) -edition size not stated.
1949 – some sources suggest a 2nd edition of Leilot limited to 50 copies was issued. I have nothing to support this.