Details
MAN RAY (1890–1976)
Valentine Hugo, c. 1935
gelatin silver print
signed in ink (recto); stamped 'MAN RAY/31bis, RUE/CAMPAGNE/PREMIÈRE/PARIS XIVe' [Manford M6] and titled, dated in pencil (verso)
image/sheet: 11 1/8 x 8 3/4 in. (28.3 x 22.2 cm.)
Provenance
Daniel Wolf Inc., New York;
acquired from the above by the present owner.

Brought to you by

Rebecca Jones
Rebecca Jones

Lot Essay

When, in 1935, the artist Valentine Hugo sat for Man Ray's camera she had been actively involved with the Paris Surrealists for several years. Man Ray produced a number of flattering portraits from this sitting, including the image offered in the present lot. The Fonds Man Ray, at the Centre Pompidou holds six corresponding and related negatives.

A close variant image was used by Man Ray in creating a series of four photographic playing cards, each featuring woman associated with the Surrealist movement. Valentine Hugo was the Queen of Diamonds, Lise Deharme portrayed the Queen of Spades, Nusch Éluard posed as the Queen of Clubs, and Jacqueline (Lamba) Breton was the Queen of Hearts.

More from The Face of the Century: Photographs from a Private Collection

View All
View All