Alphabet pour Adultes

Artist Man Ray (American, 1890-1976)

Publisher Editions Pierre Belford , Paris

Date1970

DimensionsSheet: H. 15 in. (38.1 cm); W. 11 in. (27.9 cm)
overall: H. 15 7/8 in. (40.3 cm): W. 12 in. (30.5 cm); Depth 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)

MediumBook with rayograph with color silkscreen mounted on wood veneer-covered board and 36 offset lithographs, with title page, justification, text and colophon

ClassificationBooks

Credit LineMrs. George W. Stevens Fund

Object number

2007.35

Not on View

Label TextMan Ray had been occupied with the creation of an ‘alphabet book’ for decades. After the conception of several versions he completed a French edition, entitled Alphabets pour Adultes, in 1970 at the age of 80. The artist wrote, “A letter always suggests a word, and a word always suggests a book. There are words that are for everyday use and there are words reserved for the more special occasions, for poetry … To make a new alphabet of the discarded props of a conversation can lead only to fresh discoveries in language.”