Irving penn photography

To move more confidently into the future, you must delve into the past. These 12 famous portrait photographers is a great place to start.

“Girl Behind Wine Bottle”, 1949 Jean Patchett © Irving Penn

IRVING PENN Irving Penn was one of the most distinguished photographers of our time. Irving Penn Portraits is a glorious celebration of his work in this genre, focusing on his portraits of significant cultural figures over the last seven decades. Irving Penn was born June 16, 1917, in Plainfield, N.J. Educated in public schools, he

One of the most prolific photographers working in the 20th century (and certainly one of the most famous fashion magazine photographers of his era), Irving Penn shot a series of minimalist studio portraits back in the 1940s and ’50s that were…

Irving Penn, 1949, printed May 1977

Robert Freson assisted Irving Penn for 13 years – here, he recalls how the late American photographer distilled the soul of his subjects in gelatin silver prints

Yves Saint Laurent's shyness is commonly known. In portraiture, people expect to recognize a face. Here Penn captures Saint Laurent like a shy child, revealing just one eye. A juxtapose of the incredible fame and talent of the man, the band and lore that is Yves Saint Laurent. The composition commands you see more, forcing the viewer to look

Lavender Glory Poppy, New York, 1968

Picasso really loved hats, especially his cowboy hats.

Discover art by Van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol & more in the Art Institute's collection spanning 5,000 years of creativity.