Photo Book Reviews

Some people think of Man Ray strictly as a photographer but those familiar with his broad body of work recognize him as a sculptor, artist and filmmaker as well. Born Emmanuel Radnitzky in Philadelphia in 1901, Ray’s eclectic background helped him reinvent photography as a significant force in the Dadaist and Surrealist movements.

 

A photo posted by Benjamin Blanck (@benjaminblanck) on Dec 2, 2016 at 7:57am PST

Ray spent most of his career in Paris, and by the time he died he was widely acclaimed and exhibited throughout the world. Much of the recognition for his photography came after his death in 1976, especially in the U.S.

Ray considered himself a painter above all else, but his renown as an avant-garde, fashion, and portrait photographer has grown steadily in recent decades. In 1999, ARTNews magazine named him one of the most influential artists and photographers of the 20th century.

 

A photo posted by Benjamin Blanck (@benjaminblanck) on Oct 14, 2016 at 4:17pm PDT

The images you see here are from the aptly named new book “Man Ray,” published by Benjamin Blanck. The bilingual edition (French/English) is printed in France and features 67 of Ray’s notable works.

Edited by independent publisher Benjamin Blanck, “Man Ray” takes an in-depth look into the artist’s work from both Paris and New York—attempting to answer the question, “How did Man Ray reinvent photography a century ago?”

 

A photo posted by Benjamin Blanck (@benjaminblanck) on Jan 3, 2017 at 1:44pm PST

You can read more about the book on the publisher’s website (where you can place an order), and view more images on the Benjamin Blanck Instagram page. The new book “Man Ray” will be in bookstores in the U.S. soon.