Irving PennAmerican, 1917–2009Optician's Window (Later Version), New York
May one see it?
Not receiving at present
Chicago, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- 1996.189
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — © the artist or rights holder
Meanwhile, in the life of Irving Penn
The whole lifec. 1942
Liberman brings him into Vogue’s Art Department
On his return to New York Penn is offered a position as an associate in the Art Department of Vogue by Alexander Liberman; he works on the magazine’s layout until Liberman asks him to try photography.
November 1944
Drives an ambulance in the Italian Apennines
Having turned down a job as an “artist-photographer” with the Office of War Information in London, Penn volunteers with the American Field Service (AFS); he arrives in Naples in November 1944 and drives an ambulance in support of the British Eighth Army as it slogs its way north through a miserable winter in the Apennines.
1947
Meets Lisa Fonssagrives
At a photo shoot in 1947 Penn meets the Swedish fashion model Lisa Fonssagrives.
1950
Marries Lisa Fonssagrives
In 1950 Penn and Lisa Fonssagrives marry at Chelsea Register Office; in the same year he photographs his wife in “Harlequin Dress”.
1950s
His own studio and advertising photography
In the 1950s Penn founds his own studio in New York and begins making advertising photographs; over the years his list of clients grows to include General Foods, De Beers, Issey Miyake and Clinique.
1960
The book “Moments Preserved”
Penn’s pivotal book “Moments Preserved” is published; until then his photographs had been seen almost exclusively in reproduction within the glossy pages of magazines.
