Man Ray and fashion, a timeless exhibition

© Private collection, courtesy Fondazione Marconi

We went to see the "Man Ray and Fashion" exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg. It was supposed to open in April, but with the worldwide lockdown, it was decided to postpone it.

The exhibition journey unfolds in several sections: the rise of fashion and advertising and the heyday of the fashion photographer, also known as the Bazaar years.

Man Ray is a key figure in photography.

His magical eye has immortalized socialites and models wearing the outfits of the greatest fashion designers. Coco Chanel, Kiki de Montparnasse, Marie-Laure de Nouailles, Nancy Cunard, Peggy Guggenheim… All these goddesses of the past have been captured on film by Man Ray.

© Man Ray 2015 Trust / Adagp, Paris 2020

Man Ray has also, in a way, revolutionized the press. Vogue, Vanity Fair and Harper's Bazaar trusted him so that we no longer show fashion only through sketches, but with photographs as well.

The exhibition pays homage to Man Ray, his work and his creativity, both technical and artistic.

It retraces the atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties, and it is safe to say his photographs have become timeless.

The artist brings to fashion a new vision of desire and dreams, and to fashion photography a certain nobility.

We enjoyed the multitude and originality of the photos that were on display. We regret, however, not having seen larger format prints of some of his works such as the famous “tears” photo, which was ultimately an advertisement for mascara.

You can visit the exhibition yourself at the Luxembourg Museum until January 17, 2021.