The definitive book on the work of a virtuosic and revered American photographer



The definitive book on the work of a virtuosic and revered American photographer

“Irving Penn: Centennial . . . presents page after page of startlingly fresh images.”—Luc Sante, New York Times

Irving Penn (1917–2009) was among the most esteemed and influential photographers of the twentieth century. Over the course of a nearly seventy-year career, he mastered a pared-down aesthetic of studio photography that is distinguished for its meticulous attention to composition, nuance, and detail. This indispensable book features one of the largest selections of Penn’s photographs ever compiled, including famous and beloved images as well as works that have never been published, spanning the entirety of his groundbreaking career.

An enlightening introduction situates his work in the context of the various artistic, social, and political environments and events that affected the content of his photographs. Lively essays acquaint readers with Penn’s primary subjects and campaigns, including early documentary scenes and imagery; portraits; fashion; female nudes; peoples of Peru, Dahomey (Benin), New Guinea, and Morocco; still lifes; and much more. Irving Penn: Centennial is essential for any fan of this artist’s work or the history of twentieth-century photography.

Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press

Exhibition Schedule:

de Young, Fine Art Museums, San Francisco
(March 16–July 21, 2024)