Born Emmanuel Radnitzky, Man Ray was a famous American filmmaker, painter and photographer. His career is distinctive, above all, for the success he achieved in both the United States and Europe. First maturing at the center of American modernism in the 1910s, he made Paris his home in the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1940s, he crossed the Atlantic once again and spent periods in New York and Hollywood.
Ray’s art spanned painting, sculpture, film, prints and poetry, and in his long career, he worked in styles influenced by Cubism, Futurism, Dada and Surrealism. He also successfully navigated the worlds of commercial and fine art and came to be a sought-after fashion photographer. Ray is perhaps most remembered for his photographs of the inter-war years, in particular, the camera-less pictures he called "Rayographs," but he always regarded himself first and foremost as a painter. Although he matured as an abstract painter, Ray eventually disregarded the traditional superiority painting held over photography and happily moved between different forms. Dada and Surrealism were important in encouraging this attitude; they also persuaded him that the idea that motivates a work of art was more important than the work of art itself.
André Breton once described Ray as a pre-Surrealist, something which accurately describes his natural affinity for the style. Even before the movement had coalesced, in the mid-1920s, his work, influenced by Marcel Duchamp, had Surrealist undertones. He would continue to draw on the movement's ideas throughout his life. Ray's work has ultimately been very important in popularizing Surrealism.
Find original Man Ray art on 1stDibs.
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-20th Century Pottery Low Compote by René Maurel, France
By Man Ray
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century pottery low compote by René Maurel,, Vallauris, France. An intriguing piece, fracturing a dancing figure. Minute paint rim nicks. 4.75" dia., 1 5/8" h. Whitehall A...
Pottery
$3,428
Present
By Man Ray
Located in Paris, FR
Present Sculpture, 1974 Edition : 2236/5000 Publisher : Luciano Anselmino (Turin) Maker : Giorgio Barutti (Venise) H x W x D : 16.50 cm. x 10.00 cm. x 8.00 cm. 6.5 in. x 3.94 in. x...
Metal
Abstract Sculpture in Polished Aluminum
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this beautiful abstract sculpture crafted in aluminum with a mirror-like polished finish. Undoubtedly a striking decorative piece, it reflects light elegantly an...
Aluminum
Monumental Mid-20th Century American Studio Pottery Bowl
Located in Chicago, IL
A monumental-scale mid-20th century American studio hand-thrown glazed ceramic bowl with fantastic texture and earthy neutral glaze colors. Signed illegibly on the bottom.
Ceramic
1990s Modern Sculpture
Located in Milano, IT
1990s modern sculpture, realized with different metals such as iron copper and brass.
Brass, Copper, Iron
Fong Chow Gulfstream Pottery Bowl, Mid-20th Century
By Fong Chow
Located in New York, NY
A midcentury ceramic bowl by Fong Chow for Glidden in the Gulfstream series. The form is wheel-thrown with a broad, gently sloping profile. Its surface is decorated in concentric ban...
Ceramic
A Mid-20th Century Olive Wood Mortar & Pestle - France
By Alexandre Noll
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Handcrafted in France from richly grained olive wood, this mid-20th century mortar and pestle embodies the beauty and authenticity of traditional artisan craftsmanship. Its warm natu...
Wood
$916
H 29.34 in W 13.78 in D 24.81 in
French modern white ceramic greyhound dog sculpture by Roche Bobois, 1980s
By Roche Bobois
Located in MIlano, IT
French modern white ceramic greyhound dog sculpture by Roche Bobois, 1980s Sculpture representing a greyhound dog in white ceramic with glossy finish. The dog appears seated, with a ...
Ceramic
Mid Century Glass Bowl, 20th Century Modern, France ca. 1960
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Very decorative mid century glass bowl out of France. Artfully crafted in the period around 1960, this modern designed, brown pressed glass bowl impresses with an outstanding lookin...
Glass
Early 20th Century Armenian Pottery Plate from Jerusalem
Located in New York, NY
Extremely rare Armenian pottery plate depicting the mosaic floor at the ancient synagogue of Beit Alpha in Israel, circa 1920. Jerusalem's ancient Arm...
Pottery
Felipe Castañeda
By Felipe Castañeda
Located in New York, NY
Felipe Castañeda Felicidad (1984) Marble sculpture Measure: H 18 inches Signed F Castanee 1984.
Marble
Daum Art Deco Crystal Bowl, France, Mid-20th Century
By Daum
Located in London, England
The Daum Sculptural Cup, emblematic of French crystal art, embodies both the elegance and know-how of the prestigious Daum house, founded in Nancy. This unique piece, designed in the...
Crystal
French 19th Century Champlevé Barbedienne Compote
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Delightful compote bowl made of slate and gilt bronze, having a beautiful Champlevé enamel design around the piece. Made in France, 19th Century (Barbedienne). Makers mark on the bas...
Bronze, Enamel
'Cadeau' Sculpture by Man Ray
By Man Ray
Located in NYC, NY
A sculpture by Man Ray titled 'Cadeau' in the shape of an iron with a row of nails protruding. Signed and inscribed with the edition number 2290/5...
Steel, Bronze
Man Ray Sculpture Priape
By Man Ray
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
MAN RAY “PRIAPE,” Parian marble sculpture, four elements. Signed and numbered 183/500. Ca. 1975. 52 cm x 17 cm. He was an American visual artist who spent most of his career in Pa...
Marble
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H 6.7 in W 3.94 in D 3.55 in
Man Ray - Le Cadeau Surrealist Sculpture, 1974 - Signed and Numbered
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Own an iconic piece of surrealist art with Man Ray's Le Cadeau, a striking sculpture produced in 1974 in Italy. This limited-edition work is numbered 125/5000 and signed by the artis...
Iron
Man Ray Surrealist Sculpture Le Cadeau, 1974
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
An exceptional and rare sculpture by Man Ray, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. "Le Cadeau," also known as "The Gift," was originally ...
Iron
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H 13.78 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Man Ray Surrealism "Le Tour" Sculpture Limited Edition Nº 91, circa 1981
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
If you're looking for a truly exceptional piece of art and design, you won't want to miss Le Tour sculpture by Man Ray. Created in 1981, this sculpture is sig...
Glass, Wood
Man Ray Le Cadeau Surrealist Sculpture, 1974
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sculpture by Man Ray titled Cadeau manufactured 1974 in France. Signed. Man Ray (1890-1976) was an American visual artist who spent most of his c...
Iron
Surrealist Sculpture After Man Ray
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Surrealist sculpture after Man Ray.
Iron
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H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 21.66 in
Priape by Man Ray for Alexandre Lolas Gallery, Marble, 102/500, 1972
By Man Ray
Located in Brussels, BE
Priape is the god of fertility, conceived in 1920 and executed in 1972 by the Galerie Alexandre Lolas, in an edition of 500. In 4 parts, 1 marble cylinder and 3 balls. Signed and num...
Marble
Man Ray Surrealist Sculpture Le Cadeau Hand Signed, 1974
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sculpture by Man Ray Titled Cadeau manufactured 1974 in France. Hand signed. Man Ray (1890-1976) was an American visual artist who spent most ...
Iron
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H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 21.66 in
Priape by Man Ray for Alexandre Lolas Gallery, Marble, 102/500, 1972
By Man Ray
Located in Brussels, BE
Priape is the God of fertility, conceived in 1920 and executed in 1972 by the Galerie Alexandre Lolas, in an edition of 500. In 4 parts, 1 marble cylinder and 3 balls. Signed and num...
Marble
Man Ray Priapus 1972 Marble Sculpture Signed Numbered
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Marble sculpture designed by Man Ray in 1920 and made in 1972 by the artist. Signed and numbered 114/500. Man Ray (1890–1976) was an American visual artist who spent most of hi...
Marble
Man Ray Cadeau 1921 / 1974
By Man Ray
Located in Weesp, NL
Gift is a typical product of Man Ray’s double-edged humour. Its sadistic implications need not be stressed. Its erotic aspect is revealed by Man Ray’s remark: ‘You can tear a dress t...
Iron
Man Ray Cadeau, 1974
By Man Ray
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sculpture by Man Ray Titled Cadeau manufactured 1974 in France. Signed. Man Ray (1890–1976) was an American visual artist who spent most of his career in France. He was a signif...
Iron