Man Ray often reiterated his claim, "I paint what cannot be photographed, and I photograph what I do not wish to paint." And also, "Whenever I make a decision or wish to follow a principle then I must change it the next day – I must do the contrary of what I said yesterday. In this way I maintain my freedom".

Man Ray was a master at formulating slogans for his work.

Always treated like fresh discoveries, these pop up again and again in the often dull texts written about Man Ray today.

When Man Ray occasionally painted vistas or portraits, he always worked from photographic originals.