Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Self Portrait
Man Ray was one of this century's most versatile and inventive artists who figured prominently in the avant-garde, Dada, and Surrealist movements. In this brilliant memoir, Man Ray paints a vivid picture of his own life, his friends -- including Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso, and Ernest Hemingway -- and the many women in his life -- such as Kiki Montparnesse and photograph...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
April 1st 1999
by Bulfinch Press
(first published 1961)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
156)
Dec 24, 2010
Kathabela Wilson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-but-re-reading,
read-part-of-this-book
Amazing honest, creative book and life. I love his art and his vision. The edition I have is hardcover with lavish illustrations. The back cover of it is pictured in the painting of Rick by Gail Radice (I am shelving this on her birthday.) I have another copy a paperback that I lent to Just Kibbe who loves it too. I finished this in the sense of reading it, but I read the paperback, I need to look at all the pictures in this. And I will not ever really "finish" with it. Actually that is true of...more
It was wonderful to read such personal insights into the characters and way of life of so many famous artistic and literary figures of the early twentieth century, to gain a new and informal snapshot of such celebrated personalities. These are often brief and obviously subjective, but is more than made up for by the immediacy of Man Ray's narration. He also gives a fascinating first-hand account of the invasion of France in 1940, and, of course, of the development of photography and film - the a...more
Reading Man Ray's book, I came to conclusion that he never forgave Lee Miller for ditching him.
He describes some hilarious and so funny episode involving an American writer with S&M tastes. He was asked by that man to baby sit a naked woman, chained to the banister at the Yankee chap's Parisian apartment. He took Lee Miller with him. They had a sumptuous dinner with wine, coffee and brandy to which they invited the slave to participate. Then they all played cards together. At the end of it,...more
He describes some hilarious and so funny episode involving an American writer with S&M tastes. He was asked by that man to baby sit a naked woman, chained to the banister at the Yankee chap's Parisian apartment. He took Lee Miller with him. They had a sumptuous dinner with wine, coffee and brandy to which they invited the slave to participate. Then they all played cards together. At the end of it,...more
Intimate look at artists of the 1930 such as his friends Marcel Duchamp. Gertrude Stein, Picabia and Joyce.
Rich selection of various techniques include over and under exposure, shooting through fabric, superimposing images, and zeroing in on tiny details. Photographs are divided into general subjects, female figures (mainly nudes); women's faces (including Gertrude Stein); celebrity portraits (Dali, Derain,Matisse, Picasso, and others); and rayographs, cameraless compositions....
Rich selection of various techniques include over and under exposure, shooting through fabric, superimposing images, and zeroing in on tiny details. Photographs are divided into general subjects, female figures (mainly nudes); women's faces (including Gertrude Stein); celebrity portraits (Dali, Derain,Matisse, Picasso, and others); and rayographs, cameraless compositions....
Oct 23, 2012
Dana Gynther
added it
A fun memoir mainly focusing on his life in Paris in the 20s-30s, including all his experiences with all his famous friends and acquaintances. Anyone interested in art and literature during the inter-war period would find it fascinating.
As a big admirer of his work I absolutely loved this book. Insight into his work, life and loves makes you wish you were around in the 1920s to meet the 'Man' himself.
Feb 07, 2009
David
is currently reading it
I believe this gentleman was the first recipient of the exclamation "He's the Man!"
Man Ray was DEFINITELY NOT apt at writing.
Mar 30, 2010
Eryka
is currently reading it
Pompous and delicious
This purposely vague, impressionistic autobiography is none the less entertaining and occasionally inspiring.
view all 15 comments
Fascinating read, both in terms of his life and also from a historical perspective.
He documents eloquently his experience of being involved with some of the most influential artists of the 20th century such as Picasso and Duchamp. His writing about his experience of occupied France is particularly informative.
Highly recommend to anyone with an interest in either Man Ray or 20th century art.
He documents eloquently his experience of being involved with some of the most influential artists of the 20th century such as Picasso and Duchamp. His writing about his experience of occupied France is particularly informative.
Highly recommend to anyone with an interest in either Man Ray or 20th century art.
Una vita straordinaria di un artista poco conosciuto: nel dopo guerra girava con la sua spider per la Francia. Conosceva e frequentava Utrillo, Picasso, Dalì, Jameds Joyce... le loro storie e i loro amori.
Era una grande mente, molto più avanti lui 100 anni fa, di noi adesso.
Avercene di uomini così...
Era una grande mente, molto più avanti lui 100 anni fa, di noi adesso.
Avercene di uomini così...
An interesting read on artists of the Surrealist and Dadaist movement in Europe. Man Ray writes quite simply and manages to paint himself as a rather cliche artist type. Thoughtful of his work, narcissistic and hipster like in his networking. Overall, an average read and at times yawn provoking.
May 11, 2013
Melanthi Nicolaou
is currently reading it
May 10, 2013
Olympia
marked it as to-read
Apr 29, 2013
Matthewsherling
marked it as to-read
Apr 21, 2013
Esra Efe
marked it as to-read
Apr 03, 2013
Élodie Gendreau
marked it as to-read
Mar 19, 2013
Rebecca Lin
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Man Ray (born Emmanuel Radnitzky), was an American artist who spent most of his career in Paris, France. Perhaps best described simply as a modernist, he was a significant contributor to both the Dada and Surrealist movements, although his ties to each were informal. Best known in the art world for his avant-garde photography, Man Ray produced major works in a variety of media and considered himse...more
More about Man Ray...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
