Date of Birth: June 16, 1917
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: October 7, 2009
Biography
Irving Penn was an iconic American photographer, born on June 16, 1917, in Plainfield, New Jersey. Known for his fashion photography, portraits, and still lifes, Penn’s work has left an indelible mark on the world of visual arts. He studied at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art under Alexey Brodovitch, where he initially pursued painting and graphic design. However, his interest in photography took precedence, and he began his illustrious career as a photographer for Vogue magazine in 1943. Penn’s style was characterized by his simplicity and meticulous attention to detail. He often used a plain backdrop, allowing the subject to dominate the frame. Over his seven-decade-long career, Penn photographed an array of subjects, from celebrities and indigenous people to exquisite still lifes of food and objects. His work has been exhibited worldwide and is part of numerous museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Irving Penn passed away on October 7, 2009, in Manhattan, New York, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence contemporary photography.
5 Interesting Facts about Irving Penn
1. Irving Penn’s first cover for Vogue magazine was published in October 1943.
2. He married Swedish model Lisa Fonssagrives in 1950, who was often featured in his photographs.
3. Penn’s series “Small Trades,” which documented workers in their traditional uniforms, is considered one of his most significant works.
4. He was awarded the Hasselblad Award in 1985, one of the most prestigious awards in photography.
5. Penn was known for his innovative use of platinum printing, a method that enhances the tonal range and durability of black-and-white photographs.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Irving Penn
1. “A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it.”
2. “I can get obsessed by anything if I look at it long enough. That’s the curse of being a photographer.”
3. “What I really try to do is photograph people at rest, in a state of repose.”
4. “A beautiful print is a thing in itself, not just a halfway house on the way to the page.”
5. “Photographing a cake can be art.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of his career, Irving Penn’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Irving Penn and Lisa Fonssagrives had one son, Tom Penn, who is an established metal designer.
Relevant Links
1. [Irving Penn on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Penn
2. [Irving Penn Foundation](https://www.irvingpenn.org/
4. [Irving Penn at The Museum of Modern Art](https://www.moma.org/artists/4504
