Man Ray

Man Ray (born Emmanuel Radnitzky) (Philadelphia, 1890 – Parijs, 1976) famously declared in 1922, “I have finally freed myself from the sticky medium of paint, and am working directly with light itself.” He is renowned for his pioneering "rayographs," or camera-less photographs, which he created by placing objects directly onto photosensitized paper and exposing them to light.

Man Ray’s artistic journey began with the Dada movement, which, shaped by World War I and new media like radio and cinema, focused on chance and spontaneity. His work, such as “The Rope Dancer Accompanies Herself with Her Shadows,” reflects these Dadaist interests with its exploration of negative space and the interplay of shadows.

Arriving in Paris from New York in 1922, Man Ray experimented with rayographs, creating abstract, negative images through light exposure. His portfolio, “Champs délicieux,” published in December 1922, showcased these works, furthering his experimentation into film with “Le Retour à la raison” in 1923.

Man Ray’s involvement with Surrealism, led by André Breton, allowed him to explore the uncanny aspects of daily life. His Surrealist objects, such as "Gift" and "Indestructible Object," along with his photographs, contributed to major exhibitions at The Museum of Modern Art, including "Cubism and Abstract Art" (1936), "Fantastic Art, Dada, Surrealism" (1936–37), and "Photography, 1839–1937" (1937). His work is celebrated for its innovative approach to art, emphasizing the automatic and experimental aspects of photography.

At Kunsthandel Meijer, we proudly feature works by Man Ray. For more details or to view his art, please contact us.