Les Invendables
Artist
Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky)(American, 1890–1976)American, 1890–1976
CultureAmerican
Titles
- Les Invendables
Date1969
PlaceParis, France
MediumLetterpress book and gelatin silver print with label on sandpaper
DimensionsOverall (Book): 11 3/16 × 9 × 3/16 in. (28.4 × 22.9 × 0.5 cm)
Overall (Image mounted on sandpaper): 9 5/8 × 6 15/16 in. (24.5 × 17.7 cm)
Overall (Image mounted on sandpaper): 9 5/8 × 6 15/16 in. (24.5 × 17.7 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Alvin S. Romansky
Object number91.1582
Not on view
Explore Further
Department
PhotographyObject Type
Man Ray’s preface to the book Les Invendables (The Unsellables) is a knowing tease to all artists. He writes, “Unsellable.” “Why? Because the name is the only thing for sale. Without the signature the picture is worthless. You must take them both.”
Provenance Research Ongoing Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Signed in pencil on verso of book's last page: "12/50 Man Ray" and in image, lower left: "12/50", lower right: "Man Ray".
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.
Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky)
Designed 1971, made 1971-1974
Wood, enamel and plastic
2018.494
Russell Maret
2014
Polymer prints in color and photo-polymer letterpress in a bound accordion-style book, edition 48/71
2025.153
Navarre Scott Momaday
1992
Artist’s book with letterpress and hand-coloring, deluxe edition 0/26
2021.414
Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky)
1935
Gelatin silver print
76.250
