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Eléctricité

Photogravure
1931 (made)
Artist/Maker
Compagnie Parisienne De Distribution De L'Eléctricité (publishers)
Man Ray (maker)
Place of origin
France (made)

Black and white photogravure; image of a female torso (Lee Miller) with photograms of ribbons representing electric current.

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Object details

Category
Photographs
Object type
Photogravure
TitleEléctricité (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Photogravure
Photogravure
Brief description
Photograph by Man Ray, 'Electricite' (image of torso of Lee Miller with photograms of ribbons representing electric current) from the 'Electricite' portfolio, published by the Compagnie Parisienne de Distribution de l'Electricite, Paris, 1931.
Physical description
Black and white photogravure; image of a female torso (Lee Miller) with photograms of ribbons representing electric current.
Dimensions
  • Sheet length: 32.7cm
  • Sheet width: 26cm
Styles
Modern
Art Photography
Copy number
155/500
Gallery label
Gallery 100, 2016-17:

Man Ray (1890–1976)
From the portfolio ‘Eléctricité’
1931

The avant-garde photographer Man Ray devised a type of photogram he called the ‘Rayograph’. He used the technique to striking effect when commissioned by the Paris Electricity Company to create images promoting the uses of electricity. This sensual example features the torso of his partner, model and photographer Lee Miller, crossed by ribbons, perhaps to represent currents of desire.

Photogravure
Purchased with the assistance of the Art Fund
and the Friends of the V&A
Museum no. E.1653-2001
(20/11/2012)
The Paris electricity company commisioned these images by Man Ray. At the time he was a successful fashion and portrait photographer, though he is better remembered for his Surrealist work. To explore the theme of electricity he captured subjects including neon lighting and domestic implements, as well as a torso crossed by ribbons representing currents of desire.
(11 03 2014)
Gallery 100, ‘History of photography’, 2012-2013, label texts :

Man Ray (1890 – 1976)
From the portfolio ‘Electricité’
1931
The Paris electricity company commissioned these
images by Man Ray. At the time he was a successful
fashion and portrait photographer. To explore the
theme of electricity he captured subjects including
neon lighting and domestic implements, as well
as a torso crossed by ribbons representing currents
of desire.

Photogravures
Purchased with the assistance of the Art Fund
and the Friends of the V&A
Museum nos. E.1646, 1648, 1651, 1653-2001
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support and the Friends of the V&A
Production
From the 'Eléctricité' portfolio.
Bibliographic reference
Dawn Ades, ed. ceci est la couleur de mes rêves Vancouver: Vancouver Art Gallery, 2011. ISBN: 9781895442878.
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.1653-2001

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Record createdAugust 7, 2002
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O66889/eléctricité-photogravure-man-ray/
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