Rayographs, 1922–1928 | Gelatin silver prints (photograms)
© 2010 Man Ray Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
Man Ray (American, 1890-1976) produced his first photograms—cameraless works made by placing objects and other materials on photosensitive paper—after he came to Paris in 1921. Though he claimed that he discovered the technique through an accident in the darkroom, it seems likely that his exploration was prompted by fellow artist Tristan Tzara, who brought to Paris some of Christian Schad’s earlier experiments with the medium in Switzerland. Man Ray dubbed the results of his efforts “Rayographs”—a play on his name, but also a twist on the Latin roots of the word “photograph,” meaning “light-writing.” Tzara proclaimed them “pure Dada creations.”
All images & text courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) >> see more
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
These are great, each image seems somehow to have a face within it. But that may just be me..
It has been some time since I last saw Man Ray’s Rayographs; once again I am impressed.
Thanks for sharing!
I’ve seen the “Rayograph – Cigarettes” presented online with the pipe facing up. Do you happen to know if your orientation (pipe facing down) is correct?
Thanks for the help.
sorry, silly question. If you got them from Moma then the orientation is correct.
Hi John,
No, not a silly question at all. I apologize I got busy and forgot to respond to your query. I would assume like you that the MoMA orientation is correct. Interesting it has been flipped elsewhere. Now I will be noticing and looking for that from now on, ha.
Thanks for stopping by!
–Amy