Making of ’Le Violon d‘Ingres’ (by Man Ray, 1924), 2016

The story behind the photograph…

"Le Violon d'Ingres" is a famous photograph created by the surrealist artist Man Ray in 1924. The title, which translates to "Ingres's Violin" in English, pays homage to the French neoclassical painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. The photograph features the nude back of Man Ray's model, Kiki de Montparnasse, with two violin-shaped f-holes drawn on her back using black ink. This clever and whimsical addition transforms her into a living, breathing musical instrument. The image is a play on words and a visual pun. Ingres, a renowned painter, was known for his use of the violin shape in his portraits, particularly in the positioning of the female figure's back. By incorporating this element, Man Ray adds a layer of wit and cultural reference to his work, blending the classical art world with the avant-garde spirit of the Surrealist movement.