Électricité Dix Rayogrammes Man Ray by Man Ray (2 results)

Ray, Man (illustrator). First edition. Folio, two unbound folded sheets to make [6] pp. text, with 10 photogravures plates 8 1/16 x 10 1/4 inches [20.48 x [26.03 cm] tipped to a stiff art paper mount 10 7/8 x14 3/4 inches [27.62 x 37.46] each with a titled protective vellum wrapper. The text and prints are laid-in a blank vellum folder, which is mildly creased, and laid-in the four-point printed paper portfolio. This copy has the complimentary slip from the CPDE, which is seldom included. Each plate bears the signature of Man Ray, which was signed in the original negative. This is copy number 409 from a total edition of 500 copies. A fine, near new copy. Aside from a slight bit of toning to the printed four-point paper folder, this is a fine, near new copy contained in a newly made gilt titled leather-backed cloth over boards chemise with matching cloth slipcase. In 1931, the Paris electric company, CPDE, commissioned Man Ray to produce a series of images promoting the various uses of electricity. The resulting portfolio of ten Rayogrammes was issued in 500 copies, which were distributed to the CPDE's best and prospective clients, and not commercially offered for sale. The photogravure prints made from original Rayograms are titled: Electricité, La Ville, Salle de Bain, La Maison, Lingerie, Salle a Manger, Cuisine, Le Souffle, Electricité, Le Monde. In 2014, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Curator in Charge, Department of Photographs, Jeff R. Rosenheim, stated: "This remarkably seductive album of photogravures is an exquisite example of his legacy as America's greatest Surrealist photographer." "Man Ray's ÉLECTRICITÉ is not only one of the most ravishing and sought-after of company photobooks, but it contains a cogent suite of photographs that the leading American Dadaist and commercial photographer himself never bettered." Parr and Badger, The Photobook: A History. Volume II, p.183.

First edition, number 147 from an edition of 500, each rayograph signed in the negative by the artist. The technique of creating photographic prints without using a camera (photograms) was not new, but Man Ray personalized the technique to such an extent that his pieces became known as rayographs. The poet Tristan Tzara proclaimed them "dada" and wrote that the photographer "had invented the force of tender and fresh lightning". Électricité is among the most acclaimed works made by this method. Man Ray produced the book as a commission for La Compagnie Parisienne de Distribution d'Électricité (CPDE), a private power company wishing to promote domestic consumption of electricity, at a time when most French homes used natural gas, wood, or coal for fuel. He used electric light to cast the images of various electrical appliances onto photographic paper, and added shadows of power cords and heating coils and incorporated a number of his own photographic nudes and other found images. The edition of 500 copies was published for distribution to executives and top customers of CPDE. Folio. Booklet and 10 rayographs tipped onto paper mounts, as issued, with captioned glassine guards. With the original cardboard folding case and glassine cover. Sheet sizes: 37.5 x 27.6 cm. Housed in a black cloth flat-back box by the Chelsea Bindery. Covers lightly rubbed and toned at edges, glassine cover chipped and torn with some loss to rear panel, front flap loose, contents in excellent condition.