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Lot Essay
Man Ray loved to play with ambiguity in imagery and in language. He had a fine appreciation for argot and jeux de mots. A literal translation of the title is The Prayer but it also means 'the invitation.' An old slang meaning is 'to reveal where the money is hidden.' The pose is at once submissive and erotic, yet the placement of the hands suggest prayer and chastity. The disembodiment achieved through the lighting and framing heighten the mysterious aura of the sacred and profane.
This print has a 'rue Campagne-Première' stamp on the back which was his address in the 1920s, however, this print was made after 1951. It was not uncommon for Man Ray or his assistant to use a stamp identifying an old address. In 1970, Man Ray made prints of this negative in an edition of eight. This print was most probably made before that time.
This print has a 'rue Campagne-Première' stamp on the back which was his address in the 1920s, however, this print was made after 1951. It was not uncommon for Man Ray or his assistant to use a stamp identifying an old address. In 1970, Man Ray made prints of this negative in an edition of eight. This print was most probably made before that time.