Irving Penn, Fashion Photographer, Is Dead at 92

Irving Penn, New York, 1951. Photo by Horst

Staley-Wise Gallery

By Andy Grundberg, The New York Times

Irving Penn, one of the 20th century’s most prolific and influential photographers of fashion and the famous, whose signature blend of classical elegance and cool minimalism was recognizable to magazine readers and museumgoers worldwide, died Wednesday morning at his home in Manhattan. He was 92....

READ ON at nytimes.com

Mike
(Thanks to Feli)

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Featured Comment by Yuanchung Lee: "Penn was a magician, conjuring Form and Beauty from the meanest of materials. Regardless of the subject matter, the Penn 'voice' was the same—elegant, concise, and seeming always to capture the essence of the thing. It's a shame to label him a 'fashion photographer' (as the Times headline writer did). Not only because he did all sorts of pictures, but because his work is really the opposite of fashion: It's timeless. Penn obviously did not make pictures to please ephemeral tastes. As for the inevitable comparison to Avedon, well, Penn wins hands-down for me."

Comments

[Alex P. Schorsch]

For me Irving Penn was the best photographer EVER ...PERIOD. I especially liked his photographs of tribesmen of New Guinea and of native Africans. He is a reason for all photographers to strive for perfection. May he rest in peace along with his fabulously beautiful (also deceased) wife.

[Rob Atkins]

Wow. An era has truly ended. I wrote in a TOP comment the other day about meeting the late Marty Forscher. Well, I had the great opportunity to meet Irving Penn as well, in 1993. He signed a copy of his MOMA monograph for me. I remember him saying "Balance art and commerce very carefully." He asked me a lot about my own work, showing keen interest. He was truly a great man.

[charlie]

Talk about a photographer who could do it all.

A true giant.

[CK Dexter Haven]

Irving Penn and Richard Avedon ARE my two greatest photographic influences. Sustained brilliance, throughout their long, illustrious careers.

I'm so glad i have their books. I'm now hoping for a massive Penn retrospective at the Met. Soon, please....

[mitchell]

I never got to meet Mr. Penn, though he was always an inspiration to me. I was lucky to start my retouching career in 1977, and worked on his one of images of a B&W Minolta ad for Bozell & Jacobs. It's something I will always remember.

[Ben Marks]

Another master passes. Damn, I love that man's work.

[Roger Bradbury]

Just half an hour ago this morning on Radio four (UK) I heard an nice interview with a Mr. David Bailey. I think that he held Irving Penn in some esteem.

[Carl Leonardi]

Mike, Another sad day in the history of photography. I started collecting Penn's work printed in Vogue back in the early 60's. I guess back then we all wanted to be fashion photographs. Some where in the 70's (my B&W lab was in my house) a knock at the door while we were eating dinner--in walks this beautiful woman dressed in fur from head to foot (it was winter) , holding a roll of film--we talked a bit and I said my most admired photographer was Penn-- That funny she said so is mine, I'm misses Penn. They had a Farm near where I lived on Long Island NY.
We used to talk a bit when I delivered her prints for her sculptures. Mostly about her experiences in the modeling world and a lot about Mr. Penn. I met Mr. Penn a few times, very quiet and soften spoken--at the time he was doing his platinum series so he was in his lab 24/3 on the week ends. Lots of fun personal tidbits about him, to numerous to get into. They were both beautiful people, Mrs Penn passed away years ago--But both will be missed in the photo & art community. He was one of the greatest photographers of the last century. My photo of Mrs. Penn on my site Pg 9, 2nd row 3rd in from left.

[Adam Lanigan]

It's rather unfortunate and humbling that I know so little about photography that I only first learn of some of the greats from their epitaphs. I'm doing what I can to change that, but it's hard to keep up lately, it seems. Rest in peace, Mr. Penn.

[James Liu]

There is a tribute to Penn at the Art Institute of Chicago, in the main building. They have a few big platinum-palladium prints up, as well as some of his workbooks on display. It's a really tiny exhibit, but really nice to go to. If you're in the area.