American photographer Irving Penn is a true legend in the fashion community. Known for his elegantly simple portraits, his images convey a unique and sophisticated compositional refinement that has been seen on over 150 Vogue covers over the span of seven decades.
Irving Penn originally studied painting, drawing, and graphic design at the University of Arts in Philadelphia. Graduating in 1938, he moved to New York and found work as the director of advertising at Saks Fifth Avenue . By 1943, Penn was hired as an assistant to Vogue Magazine's creative director Alexander Liberman. That same year, his photographic career began by shooting his first Vogue cover, a still life of fruit and autumn accessories. During his years at the famous publication, he would capture everything from food to nudes, flowers and cosmetics. Despite the various changes in fashion, Penn maintained his distinct style.
Penn began to branch out from fashion into portraiture and became much admired for his images of influential celebrities of the day. He shot everyone from writer Truman Capote, actresses like Marlene Dietrich and Grace Kelly to jazz legends Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. He photographed so many prominent figures of the 20th century that he eventually became an equal among them. Penn had a talent for capturing his subjects clearly and vividly, usually behind a simple bare backdrop and posing them within a tight space under natural lighting.
Penn continued to work at Vogue until he passed away at age 92 in 2009. Through he is gone, he will forever be remembered for creating some of the most iconic and widely recognized pictures in American photography. His classic style is still emulated by photographers today, and perhaps always will be.
For more Irving Penn photography, browse his archives here.