Promenade

1915

His first solo show

Ray's first solo show, of paintings and drawings, is held in New York.

1918

His first significant photographs

Having picked up the camera to document his own artwork, Ray produces his first significant photographs; from 1918 he takes up photography and film in earnest, experimenting with photograms, solarization and other techniques.

1920

Founding the Société Anonyme

Man Ray, Katherine Dreier and Marcel Duchamp found the Société Anonyme, an itinerant collection that becomes the first museum of modern art in the United States; in 1941 its collection is donated to the Yale University Art Gallery.

1921

His first Paris exhibition at the Galerie Six

Ray's first solo exhibition in Paris is held at the Galerie Six, organised by Philippe Soupault; for it he creates his first Dadaist work in France, The Gift (Le Cadeau).

1921

Moving to Paris, Montparnasse

In July 1921 Ray goes to live and work in Paris, settling in the Montparnasse quarter favoured by many artists.

1940

Fleeing occupied France for the United States

The Second World War forces Ray to flee Nazi-occupied France and return to the United States; Ady Fidelin chooses to stay behind.