MAN RAY (1890-1976)

Created in October 1937, Femme aux yeux baissés illustrates Man Ray’s ongoing interest in pen and ink drawing during this period, its bold, flowing lines showcasing his deep understanding of the medium. The artist had recently spent several months creating illustrations for the captivating Surrealist publication Les Mains libres, a collaborative project he had embarked upon with his close friend, the poet Paul Éluard, in 1936. In Femme aux yeux baissés, Man Ray steps away from the sinister, hybrid forms which had populated many of the Les Mains libres drawings, and instead focuses his eye on a beautiful young woman in profile, her head bent as she looks down at the strange box in front of her, which resembles a wireless radio. While not a direct portrait, her delicate features, particularly the gentle curve of her slender nose, elegant eyebrows and tapered chin, recall the heart-shaped face of Nusch, Éluard’s wife, whom Man Ray had photographed on multiple occasions during these years. Through the minimalist compositional arrangement, Man Ray focuses on the connection between the woman and the box, infusing the scene with an intense, mysterious undertone, as we are left to wonder what has left her so captivated.