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Two versions of the iconic lips. Top: Lee 059, Man Ray (1890-1976), “A l’heure de l’observatoire – les amoureux” c. 1931, color photograph of 1964, after the original oil painting. Bottom: Man Ray (1980-1976), “Untitled (gold lips)” in gold. -
Man Ray (1980-1976), “Lee Miller”, c. 1930, solarized vintage gelatin silver print. -
Man Ray (1980-1976), “Le Logis de l’artiste (The Artist’s Home)”, c. 1931, oil on canvas. -
Man Ray (1980-1976), “Indestructible Object”, originally made in 1928, destroyed Paris 1957, this replica 1959 Metronome with gelatin silver print of Lee Miller’s eye. -
Lee Miller (1907-1977), “Self Portrait”, variant on Lee Miller par Lee Miller, c. 1930, gelatin silver print. -
Lee Miller (1907-1977), “Portrait of Man Ray”, 1931, gelatin silver print. -
Lee Miller (1907-1977) “Tania Ramm and Bell Jar”, variant on Hommage a D.A.F. de Sade, c. 1930, gelatin silver print. -
Lee Miller (1907-1977) “Woman with Hand on Head”, 1931.
One of the most thrilling ways to understand Art is to recognize the ways in which it is generated out of the experience of daily life. While some artists rely on theory as the fuel for their visual expression, others are inspired by the thoughts, feelings and perceptions born from the everyday. The exhibition at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor, Man Ray Lee Miller, tracks the creative relationship between two pioneering Surrealist artists. As lovers and later as friends, the relationship inspired their work and helped shape the history of modern art.
The heart of the exhibition lies in the years between 1929-1932 when the artists lived together in Paris. Prior to this time, Lee Miller had been a successful model in New York. She was beautiful, talented, and intellectually aware. Man Ray was already a formidable force in the Surrealist world, combining painting, sculpture and photography.
