Man Ray

by Emmanuelle de l'Ecotais

Published May 1998
Man Ray was one of this century's great experimenters; his photographs, Rayographs and solarizations form many of the most original images to be produced in the first half of the 20th century. A notable chronicler of the international avant-garde, Man Ray's portraits included those of Nancy Cunard, Lee Miller, Yves Tanguy and Marcel Duchamp. Many of his nude studies and still lives have now become iconic images in their own right. This monograph reveals some previously unpublished photographs, including various erotic compositions. It shows not only finished photographs but also Man Ray's working processes - crops, background manipulation and together methods. The text, which features essays by a team of international specialists, focuses on Man Ray's career as a photographer, his methods of invention and his unique treatment of Surrealism.