Duchamp, Man Ray, Picabia

This book examines the work of Duchamp, Man Ray, and Picabia, three pioneering figures in the history of modernism. It explores the points of convergence and the parallels in their development throughout their careers. Central to this is their response to photography and film, and to the challenges posed to fine art by the development of mass production. Duchamp’s paintings of 1911–12 were influenced by the representation of movement in photography, while Picabia’s were shaped in part by the belief that the advent of the camera spelled the end of traditional painting. Man Ray used photography first to record his own art works and those of others, but soon saw in it a means of creating images of a status and inventiveness traditionally restricted to fine art. And, as this fully illustrated book shows, humor and eroticism were themes common to the work of all three artists.

This book examines the work of Duchamp, Man Ray, and Picabia, three pioneering figures in the history of modernism. It explores the points of convergence and the parallels in their development throughout their careers. Central to this is their response to photography and film, and to the challenges posed to fine art by the development of mass production. Duchamp’s paintings of 1911–12 were influenced by the representation of movement in photography, while Picabia’s were shaped in part by the belief that the advent of the camera spelled the end of traditional painting. Man Ray used photography first to record his own art works and those of others, but soon saw in it a means of creating images of a status and inventiveness traditionally restricted to fine art. And, as this fully illustrated book shows, humor and eroticism were themes common to the work of all three artists.

Jennifer Mundy is Head of International Art, Tate collection.