The early 20th century was an exciting time foravant-gardeart.
AfterImpressionism, more and more movements began to blossom, led by innovative artists with original ideas on aesthetics.
Two of the most iconic movements to be born during the 1900s wereDadaandSurrealism.
One of the most important artists who links these two periods together isMan Ray.
The American-born artist began as a painter but quickly abandoned traditional art when he discovered Dadaism.
During this time, he became a pioneer in photography, creating Surrealist portraiture and photograms.
Carl Van Vechten, Man Ray in Paris, 1934 (Photo: Library of Congress viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Unafraid of experimentation, his oeuvre pushed the boundaries of mediums that were both old and new.
Scroll down to learn more about Man Ray and his avant-garde photography.
Who was Man Ray?
Left: Man Ray, “Lampshade,” 1920 (Photo: liveauctioneers viaWikimedia Commons, PD-US)Right: Man Ray, “The Gift,” original 1921, edited replica 1972 (Photo: Wmpearl viaWikimedia Commons,CC0 1.0))
He hoped to become a professional painter and practiced a range of styles.
Then, in 1913, he befriended a pioneer of Dadaism,Marcel Duchamp.
Hisfriendship with Duchampcultivated new ideas on art philosophy and aesthetics.
Man Ray, “The Coat-Stand,” 1920 (Photo: Centre Pompidou viaWikimedia Commons, PD-US)
He began creating readymade sculpturesordinary objects that the artist modified in some wayand abstract drawings.
Ray named his creations rayographs after himself.
During this time, carved out a name for himself as a leading portrait photographer.
Man Ray, “Noir et Blanche,” 1926 (Photo: Christie’s viaWikimedia Commons, PD-US)
Famous artists likeSalvador Daliand PabloPicassowere captured in his portraits.
In addition to these portrayals, Ray experimented in fine art photography with surrealist elements.
The model was his then-lover and mistress.
The title,le violon d’Ingres, is actually a common saying in French that translates tohobby.
For Ingres, his hobby was the violin; for Ray, his hobby was the woman.
Ray placed real glass beads on the fashion model’s face to create a striking effect.
Even so, the American left an enduring influence on avant-garde art, especially in the field of photography.
