Synopses & Reviews
The artist May Ray (1890andndash;1976) initially taught himself photography in order to reproduce his own works of art, but it became one of his preferred mediums. As a contributor to the Dada and Surrealist movements in Paris during the 1920s, Man Ray was perfectly placed to make defining images of his avant-garde contemporaries, including Jean Cocteau, Peggy Guggenheim, and Gertrude Stein. Man Ray also photographed his friends and lovers, among them Kiki de Montparnasse (Alice Prin), Lee Miller, who helped him discover the solarization printing process, and Ady Fidelin. Man Ray continued to take portrait photographs throughout his career, including little-known images from 1940s Hollywood, and of stars such as Ava Gardner and Catherine Deneuve taken during the 1950s and 1960s.
An essential reference on Man Rayandrsquo;s life and work, this book includes an introduction by Terence Pepper and essay by Marina Warner exploring the artistandrsquo;s creativity and appetite for innovation and experimentation. Complete with first-hand testimonies from the artistandrsquo;s sitters and over 200 beautifully reproduced images, this handsome volume provides a survey of the finest portraits from one of the most inventive photographic artists of the 20th century.
Review
and#8220;[An] exquisite volume . . . virtuosic and dramatic . . . arresting and fresh . . . a veritable whoand#8217;s who of artists, writers, and famous faces . . . these photographs reveal Rayand#8217;s true artistic genius.and#8221;and#8212;
Publishers WeeklyReview
and#8220;Spanning more than a half century of work, [this] collection includes familiar, if not iconic, images from the modernist hit parade . . . as well as glamour shots from Hollywood. . . . revealing essences and idiosyncrasies.and#8221; and#8212;Albert Mobilio, Bookforum
Review
and#8220;Essential . . . this handsome volume provides a survey of the finest portraits from one of the most inventive photographic artists of the 20th century.and#8221;and#8212;American Fine Art
Synopsis
A masterful survey of the finest portraits by one of the most inventive photographic artists of the 20th century
Synopsis
A masterful survey of the finest portraits by one of the most inventive photographic artists of the 20th century
The artist May Ray (1890-1976) initially taught himself photography in order to reproduce his own works of art, but it became one of his preferred mediums. As a contributor to the Dada and Surrealist movements in Paris during the 1920s, Man Ray was perfectly placed to make defining images of his avant-garde contemporaries, including Jean Cocteau, Peggy Guggenheim, and Gertrude Stein. Man Ray also photographed his friends and lovers, among them Kiki de Montparnasse (Alice Prin), Lee Miller, who helped him discover the solarization printing process, and Ady Fidelin. Man Ray continued to take portrait photographs throughout his career, including little-known images from 1940s Hollywood, and of stars such as Ava Gardner and Catherine Deneuve taken during the 1950s and 1960s.
An essential reference on Man Ray's life and work, this book includes an introduction by Terence Pepper and essay by Marina Warner exploring the artist's creativity and appetite for innovation and experimentation. Complete with first-hand testimonies from the artist's sitters and over 200 beautifully reproduced images, this handsome volume provides a survey of the finest portraits from one of the most inventive photographic artists of the 20th century.
About the Author
Terence Pepper is curator of photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, London. Marina Warner is professor in the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies at the University of Essex.