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
XL vintage French wicker basket, mid 20th century
Located in Bristol, GB
XL early/mid 20th century vintage French rectangular basket with handles. Hand woven from natural willow. Perfect for storage, laundry or display. Nice pattern to the weave, the 2...
Wicker
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
20th Century French Wicker Trunk
Located in High Point, NC
This 20th Century French wicker trunk captures the authentic craftsmanship and charm of rural French design. Handwoven from natural wicker, it features a hinged lid and sturdy constr...
Wicker
Danish Art Pottery Bowl by Herman August Kahler, 20th Century
By Herman August Kähler
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish vintage Danish art pottery shallow bowl with stylised slip floral designs by Herman August Kähler (1846-1917). The rounded bowl stands on ...
Pottery
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
$320 / set
H 2.37 in Dm 5.91 in
Pair of Royal Copenhagen Art Pottery Bowls by Bode Willumsen, Mid-20th Century
Located in København, Copenhagen
A pair of Royal Copenhagen art pottery bowls by Bode Willumsen. Mid-20th century fine oxblood glaze. Size: 6 cm. in heights and 15 cm. in diameter. Number 20161 & 20162.
Large early 20th century French pottery bowl
Located in Malton, GB
This is a very attractive blue, green and cream French pottery bowl. Hand thrown giving it character and a nice thickness. Clean condition and very decorative. Height 16cm Diameter 36cm
Pottery
Micki Schloessingk Studio Pottery Yunomi, 20th Century
By Micki Schloessingk
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine vintage British studio pottery yunomi (teacup) by renowned potter Micki Schloessingk (b. 1949) and made in Swansea, Wales. The stoneware yunomi is of rounded cylindrical shape...
Pottery
$3,623
H 1.97 in Dm 14.18 in
20th Century Opalescent Glass Bowl Entitled "Algues Salver" by René Lalique
By René Lalique
Located in London, GB
An inspiring early 20th Century Art Deco glass salver decorated with swirling fronds of seaweed around the circumference of the plate, with excellent deep opalescent colour and very ...
Glass
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
$275
H 2.5 in W 6.25 in D 7 in
Vintage Sgraffito Decorated & Glazed Studio Pottery Bowl - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage studio pottery wheel thrown glazed and sgraffito decorated bowl - unsigned - Italy (likely) - mid 20th century. Good vintage condition - base rim chip - glaze chip & minor f...
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