Image for Le Violon d'Ingres

Le Violon d'Ingres

Le Violon d'Ingres is a famous photographic artwork by Man Ray, created in 1924. It features a nude woman whose back has two f-shaped scars resembling violin f-holes, integrating the idea of a violin into her body. This clever visual pun plays with the Latin phrase "violon d'Ingres," meaning a hobby or pastime—originally a term indicating a secondary passion—here symbolizing the blending of art, music, and human form. The image highlights surrealism and artistic innovation by merging object and body, emphasizing creativity and the idea of personal passions as a form of self-expression.