Masson, a French painter, writer and illustrator was a friend of Miller and her husband Roland Penrose. The couple’s large circle of artist and writer friends often stayed at their house in the Sussex countryside. This is one of many photographs taken by Miller of her visitors, a collection which captures some of the key members of the artistic community of this period relaxing, dining and experimenting at her home. Masson participated in the surrealist movement and is known for his experimental working methods which included automatic writing and the exploration of chance effects.