Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky)
(1890-1976), Photographer and artistSitter in 16 portraits
Artist associated with 23 portraits
Born Emmanuel Rudnitsky in Philadelphia, Man Ray studied painting in New York at the Ferrer Center and early developed an interest in European avant garde art. In 1915 he collaborated with Marcel Duchamp and Francis Picabia in founding the New York Dada movement. His interest in photography was stimulated through friendship with Alfred Stieglitz. Moving to Paris in 1921 he became one of the leading figures in the European Dadaist and Surrealist movements as a painter, sculptor, maker of objects, photographer, film-maker and writer. As a photographic pioneer, Man Ray is associated particularly with experiments in solarization and with the invention of 'rayographs', a form of camera-less photography.
Watch a film clip on the artist from the BBC Archive in the Media section below
More on Man Ray: New York, Paris and Hollywood
by Man Ray, and by Curtis Moffat
gelatin silver print, early 1920s
NPG P1827
by Man Ray
vintage bromide print, 1923-1924
NPG P606
(Alfred) Duff Cooper, 1st Viscount Norwich
by Man Ray
vintage bromide print, 1930s
NPG P302
(Nathaniel Mayer) Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild
by Man Ray
vintage bromide print, circa 1930
NPG P361
by Man Ray
gelatin silver print, circa 1930
NPG P2019
by Man Ray
bromide print, 26 November 1934
NPG P359
by Man Ray
silver print, 27 November 1934
NPG P170
by Curtis Moffat, or by Man Ray
photogravure, 1923
NPG x137154
Marcel Duchamp, Comte Raoul de Roussy de Sales
by Man Ray
gelatin silver print, 1925
NPG x137308
Mary Lilian (née Share), Viscountess Rothermere
by Man Ray
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published August 1925
NPG x138123
by Man Ray
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published August 1925
NPG x138124
by Man Ray
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 1 March 1926
NPG x197409
by Man Ray
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published October 1927
NPG x138122
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