Man Ray

by Man Ray

Book by L. Fritz Gruber

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction, Art and Photography, The United States Of America

80 pages, Broché

First published January 1, 1934

About the author

Man Ray (born Emmanuel Radnitzky), was an American artist who spent most of his career in Paris, France. Perhaps best described simply as a modernist, he was a significant contributor to both the Dada and Surrealist movements, although his ties to each were informal. Best known in the art world for his avant-garde photography, Man Ray produced major works in a variety of media and considered himself a painter above all. He was also a renowned fashion and portrait photographer.

While appreciation for Man Ray’s work beyond his fashion and portrait photography was slow in coming during his lifetime, especially in his native United States, his reputation has grown steadily in the decades since.

In 1999, ARTnews magazine named him one of the 25 most influential artists of the 20th century, citing his groundbreaking photography as well as "his explorations of film, painting, sculpture, collage, assemblage, and prototypes of what would eventually be called performance art and conceptual art" and saying "Man Ray offered artists in all media an example of a creative intelligence that, in its 'pursuit of pleasure and liberty,'" — Man Ray’s stated guiding principles — "unlocked every door it came to and walked freely where it would."

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is kind of cheating because this is technically a book of photography with minimal writing, but Man Ray is the man and probably in my top five favorite artists. He was mentioned in some book I read recently and I picked this up at the library. These pictures are magical. They have an eerie, supernatural quality that my simple mind will never understand. Everything about lighting, exposure, cameras, etc. is lost on me. I just know that Man Ray's work is breathtaking. It's so inviting and alive. If I had the money I'd buy a high quality, more comprehensive collection of his work. Shamefully, I am not financially able to. :-(

[Daniel M.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good introduction to the huge photographic work of the artist – garnished with texts by his friends and colleagues, so that you get several well-known voices of the time. Several chapters give orientation in his main subjects as still-life, celebrety portraiture, nudes, women.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a collector book but wonderfully affordable collection of Man Ray photos and portraits, plus writings from Picasso, Eluard, Breton, Tzara and others.