Born Emmanuel Radnitzky, Man Ray was a pioneering American modern artist celebrated for his role in the Dada and Surrealist movements. While he worked across a range of media, he is most renowned for his innovative photography, particularly in the realms of fashion and portraiture. Andy Warhol was introduced to Man Ray through Italian art dealer Luciano Anselmino, a meeting that would lead to one of Warhol’s most poignant portrait subjects. Man Ray FS. II 149 is one of the images Warhol created of the artist shortly before his death, capturing not just his likeness but also paying tribute to his creative legacy.

Warhol held a deep admiration for Man Ray, both for his artistic experimentation and for his influence on the evolution of modern art—qualities that paralleled Warhol’s own ethos. Including Man Ray in his collection of portrait subjects was both a personal and artistic decision, reflecting the impact Man Ray had on Warhol’s development. The portrait stands as a visual homage to one of Warhol’s early influences, memorializing Ray’s avant-garde spirit through the iconic style that defined Warhol’s later work.

Man Ray FS. II 149 is visually identical to Man Ray 148 with the only differences being the print dimensions and the paper used. This subtle distinction highlights Warhol’s interest in reproduction and variation—a recurring theme throughout his career.

The portrait was created in conjunction with a 1974 exhibition of Warhol’s work at Galleria Il Fauno in Milan, Italy. While Warhol often accepted commissions to paint celebrities, aristocrats, and socialites, he also took great pleasure in portraying individuals he personally admired. Man Ray was one such figure—a hero to Warhol—and this portrait served as a deeply personal expression of respect and artistic kinship. As part of Warhol’s larger body of work, Man Ray FS II. 149 underscores his fascination with iconic personalities and his ability to elevate them into timeless cultural symbols.