Irving Penn
Overview
In a career of more than sixty years, Irving Penn (1917-2009) created an extensive and influential body of photographs in portraiture, fashion and still life. He began his career as a photographer in the 1940s working for Vogue in New York where his photographs presented a ground breaking stylistic shift from existing conventions of the time. Within a few years of their making his photographs were seen on the walls of galleries and museums; the first touring exhibition that included his work was organised by MoMA in 1949. A marker of quality and innovation, Penn’s visual language has been assimilated by a wide range of photographers and designers across generations and work resides in the permanent collections of major museums internationally.
Featured Exhibitions

Marlene Dietrich, New York, 1948
Vintage silver gelatin print, mounted on board
9 x 7.5 in. (22.9 x 19 cm)

Woman with Roses on her arm (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn), 1950
Early silver gelatin print, printed before 1959
Signed on verso

B&W Fashion with Handbag “B”, 1950, 1950
Silver gelatin print, printed 1984
Signed on verso

Orchid, New York, 1969
Dye transfer print, printed 1990
Signed, stamped, titled, dated and numbered on verso

Mermaid dress, (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn), Paris, 1950
Early silver gelatin print, printed before 1959
Signed on verso