Born in the United States, Man Ray spent the majority of his professional career in Paris, where he became a central figure in the avant-garde circles of the early 20th century. While he identified primarily as a painter, his contributions to photography and the development of Surrealist aesthetics remain his most enduring legacy.

His work is characterized by a restless experimentation with medium, including the invention of the rayograph—a cameraless photograph—and the use of solarization to create dreamlike, distorted imagery. He frequently collaborated with other artists and muses, producing iconic portraits that captured the spirit of the Surrealist era.

Recent institutional focus, such as the Centre Pompidou's exhibition of his portraits of Lee Miller, continues to highlight his role as a collaborator and technical innovator. His work remains a cornerstone of major museum collections, serving as a primary reference point for the study of 20th-century modernism.