Who is Man Ray?

Man Ray (1890-1976) was an American artist who became a leading figure in both Dada and Surrealism, pioneering experimental photography techniques. He invented the rayograph (photogram)-cameraless photographs made by placing objects directly on light-sensitive paper. His iconic images include ‘Le Violon d’Ingres’ (a woman’s back transformed into a violin) and mysterious solarized portraits. Man Ray also created paintings, sculptures, films, and found object assemblages like ‘Gift’ (an iron with tacks). His fashion and portrait photography brought Surrealist aesthetics to commercial contexts. Man Ray’s experimental approach to photography established it as a legitimate Surrealist medium and continues influencing artists exploring the boundaries between documentation and imagination.