Man Ray (1890- 1976)
Born in Philadelphia to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, Emmanuel Radnitzky grew up in New Jersey and worked as a commercial artist in New York. He took on the pseudonym Man Ray in 1912. Meeting Marcel Duchamp at Alfred Stieglitz’ 291 gallery in 1915, both artists became life-long friends and collaborated on several projects, producing ready-mades – commercially produced objects, that they designated works of art.
Moving to Paris in 1912, Man Ray became involved with the French Dada and Surrealist movement. While still producing paintings and sculptures, he mainly focused on photography and became famous for his photograms (which he called ‘rayographs’), made without a camera, by placing objects directly on light-sensitive paper. In the 1920 he also started experimenting with film.
Escaping the German occupation of France, Man Ray moved back to the US in 1940 and settled in Los Angeles. He returned to Paris in 1951, which remained his home until his death in 1976. Man Ray is considered a leading figure of 20th century avant-garde photography, Dada and Surrealism.
All rights reserved. | Site design & development by LeverageIT