Man Ray

Jean Cocteau, 1922
Silver gelatin print
4 3/4w x 3 3/4h inches

Estimate: €15,000 - 20,000

West Palm Beach, 1994, ill. p. 34
Madrid, Paris & Berlin, 2007-10, p. 80
Tokyo, 2010, no. 54

Washington, D.C., 1985, ill. p. 131
Washington, D.C., 1988-90, ill. p. 99
Tokyo, 1996-97, ill. p. 70
Man Ray, 2009, ill. p. 261 (this print)
Man Ray Portraits, 2010, ill. p. 106

With one light and tiny discoloured stain in the upper right corner. Otherwise, this rich print with matte surface is in excellent general condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Soon after arriving in Paris in 1921, Man Ray was introduced to Jean Cocteau by Francis Picabia. The following year, astounded by Man Ray’s groundbreaking Rayographs (cameraless photographs made by exposing light onto objects placed on photographic paper), Cocteau declared that he had “delivered painting.”

This portrait was made during a visit to his apartment. Man Ray recalled “he looked quite aristocratic and very engaging. … The room was full of knickknacks, photographs and drawings, and I walked around examining them, reading signatures of well-known people. … Before leaving, I invited him to pose for his portrait in his surroundings … the photographs were a great success, and were distributed among his friends.” (Self Portrait, 1988, pp. 99-100)

Ce portrait a été réalisé lors d’une visite chez Cocteau. Man Ray se souvient qu’il “avait l’air d’un aristocrate très engageant. … La pièce était pleine de colifichets, de photographies, de dessins. Je les examinais, lisant les signatures de personnages célèbres . … Avant de partir, je lui proposais de faire son portrait avec toutes les choses qui l’entouraient … les photos eurent beaucoup de succès. On les distribua à ses amis.” (Autoportrait, 1964, pp. 114-115).