Man Ray — Object to be destroyed, 1932
Iconic photo of metronome with photograph of an eye attached with a paperclip to the swinging arm by Man Ray. The object itself was created in 1932 when his lover of three years, Lee Miller, left him.
When Man Ray published a drawing of the object in the magazine This Quarter, he wrote:
'Legend, Cut out the eye from a photograph of one who has been loved but is seen no more. Attach the eye to the pendulum of a metronome and regulate the weight to suit the tempo desired. Keep doing to the limit of endurance. With a hammer well-aimed, try to destroy the whole at a single blow.' (This Quarter, vol.I, September 1932, p.55.)
Man Ray left Paris in 1940 as a result of the German invasion and the original object was lost. Six years later a replica was made for a 1945 exhibition at Julien Levy Gallery in New York.
Sheet-fed gravure print likely from the 1940s.
Condition: Good, framed using UV plexiglass to protect the print from sun exposure.
Dimensions:
Print Size: 8.5” W, 10 3/8” H
Frame Size: 12” W x 14” H
Please note: All prices include the framing price at cost. CURIO Shop wants art to be more accessible to all so does not add a mark up for framed pieces.
Shipping: For art shipping is not included in the price. We will contact you after checkout to make arrangements.
Iconic photo of metronome with photograph of an eye attached with a paperclip to the swinging arm by Man Ray. The object itself was created in 1932 when his lover of three years, Lee Miller, left him.
When Man Ray published a drawing of the object in the magazine This Quarter, he wrote:
'Legend, Cut out the eye from a photograph of one who has been loved but is seen no more. Attach the eye to the pendulum of a metronome and regulate the weight to suit the tempo desired. Keep doing to the limit of endurance. With a hammer well-aimed, try to destroy the whole at a single blow.' (This Quarter, vol.I, September 1932, p.55.)
Man Ray left Paris in 1940 as a result of the German invasion and the original object was lost. Six years later a replica was made for a 1945 exhibition at Julien Levy Gallery in New York.
Sheet-fed gravure print likely from the 1940s.
Condition: Good, framed using UV plexiglass to protect the print from sun exposure.
Dimensions:
Print Size: 8.5” W, 10 3/8” H
Frame Size: 12” W x 14” H
Please note: All prices include the framing price at cost. CURIO Shop wants art to be more accessible to all so does not add a mark up for framed pieces.
Shipping: For art shipping is not included in the price. We will contact you after checkout to make arrangements.
Iconic photo of metronome with photograph of an eye attached with a paperclip to the swinging arm by Man Ray. The object itself was created in 1932 when his lover of three years, Lee Miller, left him.
When Man Ray published a drawing of the object in the magazine This Quarter, he wrote:
'Legend, Cut out the eye from a photograph of one who has been loved but is seen no more. Attach the eye to the pendulum of a metronome and regulate the weight to suit the tempo desired. Keep doing to the limit of endurance. With a hammer well-aimed, try to destroy the whole at a single blow.' (This Quarter, vol.I, September 1932, p.55.)
Man Ray left Paris in 1940 as a result of the German invasion and the original object was lost. Six years later a replica was made for a 1945 exhibition at Julien Levy Gallery in New York.
Sheet-fed gravure print likely from the 1940s.
Condition: Good, framed using UV plexiglass to protect the print from sun exposure.
Dimensions:
Print Size: 8.5” W, 10 3/8” H
Frame Size: 12” W x 14” H
Please note: All prices include the framing price at cost. CURIO Shop wants art to be more accessible to all so does not add a mark up for framed pieces.
Shipping: For art shipping is not included in the price. We will contact you after checkout to make arrangements.
About Man Ray
Man Ray (American born, 1890 - 1976) - Considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century Man Ray lived most of his life in Paris, France. Best described as a modernist, he was a significant contributor to both the Dada and Surrealist art movements. While he produced major works in a variety of media, he is best known today for his avant-garde surreal imagery. His darkroom manipulated images, photograms and surreal compositions cemented his place as one of the most important figures in photographic history.
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Man Ray & Lee Miller
While Man Ray’s legacy is more well-known today than Miller’s, she was a formidable artist, muse, photographer and war correspondent. Born in 1907 in Poughkeepsie, New York, her storied rise in the world of fashion and art is legendary. Discovered by Condé Nast, when he saved her from being hit by a truck in the streets of New York City, she soon landed the cover of Vogue at the age of 19.
She moved to Paris in 1929 and sought out Man Ray to be her teacher. She famously tracked him down in the Bateau Ivre bar near his studio on the Rue Campagne-Première. She introduced herself: “My name is Lee Miller and I’m your new student.” Man Ray replied to say he did not take on students and was leaving the next day for vacation in Biarritz. Miller retorted, “So am I.”
Over the course of the next three years, Miller was his lover, apprentice, and muse. The two had a tumultuous relationship: Lee, a sexually liberated woman, entertained other lovers, and subsequently drove Man Ray mad with jealousy. The work produced by both parties at this time, remains to this day some of their most potent.
