Irving Penn

In his memory, here is a selection of memorable images from Irving Penn. Irving Penn Irving Penn’s studio, Paris, 1950. © Irving Penn

Irving Penn was born June 16, 1917 in Plainfield, N.J. Educated in public schools, he enrolled at the age of 18 in a four-year course at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art, where Alexey Brodovitch taught him advertising design. While training for a career as an art director, Penn worked the last two summers for Harper’s Bazaar magazine as an office boy and apprentice artist, sketching shoes. At this time he had no thought of becoming a photographer. Cocoa-colored Ba lenciaga dress by Irving Penn, 1950 Copyright 1950 (renewed 1978) by Condé Nast Publications Inc. Cafe in Lima by Irving Penn, Vogue. Feb. 15, 1949

His first job on graduating in 1938 was art director of the Junior League magazine, later he worked in the same capacity for Saks Fifth Avenue department store. At the age of 25, he quit his job and used his small savings to go to Mexico, where he painted a full year before he convinced himself he would never be more than a mediocre painter. “Woman with Roses on her Arm” Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn, New York, 1950

Returning to New York, he won an audience with Alexander Liberman, art director of Vogue magazine, who hired Penn as his assistant, specifically to suggest photographic covers for Vogue. Man Lighting Girl’s Cigarette, New York, 1949

The staff photographers didn’t think much of his ideas, but Liberman did and asked Penn to take the pictures himself. Using a borrowed camera, and drawing on his art background and experience, Penn arranged a still life consisting of a big brown leather bag, beige scarf and gloves, lemons, oranges, and a huge topaz. It was published as the Vogue cover for the issue of October 1, 1943, and launched Penn on his photographic career.Woman in Moroccan palace (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn), Marrake
Irving Penn 1951

“Photographing a cake can be art,” Irving Penn asserted when he opened his studio in 1953. Before long he was backing up his statement with a series of advertising illustrations that created a new high standard in the field and established a reputation that has kept him in the top bracket ever since. Penn has won renown as much in editorial photography as in advertising illustration, and his innovations especially in portraiture and still life have set him apart stylistically. In later years he turned to television commercials as a outlet for his unique talent. One of the most imitated among contemporary photographers, his work has been widely recognized and extolled. Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn in Balenciaga, 1950 Lisa Fonssagrive by Irving Penn. She was the first great supermodel and worked between 1930’s to 1950’s and was married to fashion photographer Irving Penn

In addition to his work for Vogue magazine (the American, British, and French editions) Penn has been represented in many important photographic collections, including those of the Museum of Modem Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Addison Gallery of American Art, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. In 1958 Irving Penn was named one of “The World’s 10 Greatest Photographers” in an international poll conducted by Popular Photography Magazine. Penn’s statement at the time is a remarkable summation of purpose and idealism: “I am a professional photographer because it is the best way I know to earn the money I require to take care of my wife and children. Penn for Vogue Black and white, 1950

” “Irving Penn’s perception of form is at the highest end of what’s possible. He’s the only photographer I think of when I admire fine art and commercialism at the same time – his personal work and commercial portfolio are melded beautifully. I love that. I find it really inspiring. Everyone hopes for that, because everyone wants to make a living. It’s so easy to get swept up in market success. Irving Penn keeps a high level of integrity in both. Whether you see a reproduction in Vogue or a print at PaceMacGill Gallery, each is as physically beautiful as the other.”

By Nicholas NixonRichard Avedon photographed by Irving Penn, 1978 Diane von Furstenberg, Vogue, c. 1968 Large Sleeve (Sunny Harnett), New York, 1951 Irving Penn © Archives du Palais Princier-Monaco
Grace Kelly

My favorite shot

Shalom’s impenetrable elegance by Irving Penn. Vogue, 1996

Via: http://www.photo-seminars.com/

Official Site: http://www.irvingpenn.com/

“Photographing a cake can be art,” he said in 1953. Irving Penn is one of my favorite photographers. His works are considered icons.

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