Man Ray

American, 1890-1976

Symphony Orchestra

Man Ray (American, 1890–1976). Symphony Orchestra, 1916. Oil on canvas, 52 x 36 inches (132.1 x 91.4 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; George B. and Jenny R. Mathews Fund, 1970 (1970:4). © Man Ray Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

© Man Ray Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

Image downloads are for educational use only. For all other purposes, please see our Obtaining and Using Images page.

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© Man Ray Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

Image downloads are for educational use only. For all other purposes, please see our Obtaining and Using Images page.

© Man Ray Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

Image downloads are for educational use only. For all other purposes, please see our Obtaining and Using Images page.

Symphony Orchestra, 1916

Artwork Details

Collection Highlight

Materials

oil on canvas

Measurements

support: 52 x 36 inches (132.08 x 91.44 cm); framed: 52 1/4 x 36 1/2 x 2 inches (132.72 x 92.71 x 5.08 cm)

Collection Buffalo AKG Art Museum

Credit

George B. and Jenny R. Mathews Fund, 1970

Accession ID

1970:4

Man Ray and Pablo Picasso met in 1921 after Ray moved from the United Stated to Paris, settling in the artist-centric neighborhood of Montparnasse. Picasso was inspired by Ray’s recent invention of the “rayograph,” a photograph made without a camera by placing objects directly on photosensitized paper and exposing it to light. Ray’s desire for experimentation is also present in earlier works, such as Symphony Orchestra. This composition is made up of simple adjoining shapes and lively colors, yet it retains significant representational elements; a grand piano, musical staff, and stringed instruments are all discernible. During World War II (1939–45), Ray was forced to return to the United States, and he soon lost touch with Picasso. In the early 1950s, he moved back to Paris and immediately sought to reestablish his friendship with the artist.

Label from Picasso: The Artist and His Models, November 5, 2016–February 19, 2017