Simone Breton (Peruvian-French, 1897 - 1980) was born in Peru but raised in Paris, studying literature and philosophy at the Sorbonne. In 1920, she met André Breton and they married a year later. She and Breton became avid collectors of modern paintings, sculpture, drawings, and photographs as well as African, Oceanic, and other Non-Western works. The couple separated in 1928 and divorced in 1931 dividing up their extensive collection. She went on to own and operate successful art galleries in Paris - Artistes et Artisans, founded in 1948, and later the Furstenberg gallery until 1965 - where she exhibited surrealist art including work by Man Ray. Throughout the 1920s, Man Ray photographed Simone on several occasions.