Lewen called The Parade a wordless novel in which the picture itself is the narrative, carrying viewers from military pageantry to conflict, devastation and mourning. Si Lewen was born in Poland to Jewish parents, fled Nazi Germany with his family in 1933 and later served in the US Army, and that life runs through every frame. If you are at The Met for Krasner and Pollock, detour to Gallery 690 for this quieter, harrowing counterpoint.
What to expect
Expect a gallery of charcoal, pencil and ink drawings that together form one sequence made in the years after World War II, shown publicly for the first time since The Met acquired it in 2024. Plan time to walk the full run in order, since the images build on one another.
Good to know
- Take the 4, 5 or 6 train to 86th Street.
- Look for Gallery 690 on museum maps.
- The subject matter is war and persecution, which may be heavy for younger kids.
- Pairs naturally with Krasner and Pollock, which opens the same week.
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Common questions
Who was Si Lewen?
A Polish-born artist (1918–2016) raised in Germany who fled Nazi persecution in 1933 and later served in the US Army in World War II.
Why is the show called There Are No Words?
Lewen described The Parade as a wordless novel told only through pictures, and believed the horrors of war defy language.
