| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin | |
Original paper portfolio of the 'Electricite' portfolio.
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| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Printed paper. |
| Brief description | Original paper portfolio of the 'Eléctricité' portfolio by Man Ray, published by Compagnie Parisienne de Distribution de l'Elétricité, Paris, 1931. |
| Physical description | Original paper portfolio of the 'Electricite' portfolio. |
| Dimensions | - Closed height: 400mm
- Closed width: 294mm
- Closed depth: 12mm
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| Gallery label | - (May 2023)
- Man Ray was known for his experimental photography techniques. He often worked with photograms, a type of photograph made without a camera by placing objects onto light-sensitive paper. Here, the artist captured the illusion of the rotating blades of a fan as part of a series depicting modern innovations powered by electricity.
- (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
- Cameraless Photography
Man Ray (1890–1976)
Lingerie; Salle à Manger; La Maison and Le Souffle from the portfolio Eléctricité
1931
Photogravures from photograms
26 x 20.4 cm each
Museums nos. E.1646, 1648, 1650, 1654-2001
Purchased with the generous support of the Friends of the V&A and Art Fund
Man Ray’s images from the Électricité portfolio are some of the best examples of the graphic and commercial use of the photogram, or what he called the ‘rayogram’ after his own name. Commissioned by a French energy company for its shareholders, the set of ten images showed the range of modern innovations that depended on electricity. Some incorporated camera-made with cameraless techniques. The four selected here – showing a hand with an iron, a toaster, a light shade and bulbs, and a fan – are purely cameraless.
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| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support and the Friends of the V&A |
| Production | From the 'Eléctricité' portfolio. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | |
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Suggest feedback| Record created | August 7, 2002 |
| Record URL | |
