IP
Irving Penn
28quotes
Irving Penn
A Life in Photography
Full Name and Common Aliases
Irving Penn was born on June 16, 1917, as Israel Isadore Penn. He is often referred to by his initials I.P.
Birth and Death Dates
June 16, 1917 – October 7, 2009
Nationality and Profession(s)
Penn was an American photographer of fashion, still-life, and portrait photography. His work spanned nearly seven decades, leaving a lasting impact on the medium.
Early Life and Background
Born in New Jersey to Jewish parents, Penn grew up with an artistic inclination. He began his career as a commercial artist before transitioning into fine art photography. After serving in World War II as a naval aviator, Penn established himself in Paris, where he honed his skills as a photographer.
Major Accomplishments
Penn's photography is characterized by its simplicity and elegance. Some of his most notable achievements include:
Creating iconic portraits of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Georgia O'Keeffe
Capturing the essence of everyday life in his still-life photographs
Documenting the human form through his extensive fashion photography portfolioNotable Works or Actions
Penn's most famous works include:
Small Flowers (1947-1986), a series of botanical photographs showcasing intricate details and textures
Cigarette Packages (1950), a collection of images exploring consumerism and branding
Women (1949-1995), a series featuring Penn's portraits of women from diverse backgrounds
Impact and Legacy
Irving Penn's influence on photography is undeniable. He expanded the medium, pushing boundaries and redefining what was possible with the camera. His work continues to inspire generations of photographers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Penn's photographs not only reflect his artistic vision but also speak to universal themes such as beauty, mortality, and the human condition. As a master photographer, he left an indelible mark on the world, ensuring his legacy endures through his work.
Quotes by Irving Penn
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Sensitive people faced with the prospect of a camera portrait put on a face they think is the one they would like to show to the world... Every so often what lies behind the facade is rare and more wonderful than the subject knows or dares to believe.
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I feed on art more than I ever do on photographs. I can admire photography, but I wouldn’t go to it out of hunger.
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I’ve tried a few times to depart from what I know I can do, and I’ve failed. I’ve tried to work outside the studio, but it introduces too many variables that I can’t control. I’m really quite narrow, you know.
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I can get obsessed by anything if i look at it long enough. That’s the curse of being a photographer.
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I myself have always stood in the awe of the camera. I recognize it for the instrument it is, part Stradivarius, part scalpel.
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In portrait photography there is something more profound that we seek inside a person, while being painfully aware that a limitation of our medium is that the inside is recordable only insofar as it is apparent on the outside...Very often what lies behind the facade is rare and more wonderful than the subject knows or dares to believe.
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Most of the time the ones who dislike the pictures the most confirm to me that the picture has hit home and is probably truer than I know. Nobody minds a boring picture, they mind a picture that has gotten to the soft core.
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