MAN RAY (1890-1976)

A l'Heure de l'observatoire – les amoureux (Observatory Time – the Lovers) is one of Man Ray’s most celebrated images. This lithograph is based on the painting of the same name which was executed from 1932-34. Depicting the lips of the photographer Lee Miller, floating in a sky above the Paris observatory, the painting was made in response to the ending of their relationship in 1932, and has become an icon of surrealism.

This colour trial proof is printed with a yellow background hue, rather than the blue of the standard edition. Only one other impression of this colour variation has appeared at auction in the last thirty years (Sotheby's, London, 22-23 March 1995, lot 526).