Artist Index: Penn, Irving

"Steinberg in Nose Mask, New York". 1966/printed 1968. Platinum palladium print on strong Arches paper. 46 x 38 cm (56,5 x 46 cm). Signed, titled, dated and numbered 9/36 by the photographer in pencil, several edition/copyright stamps on the verso.

Irving Penn's oeuvre is distinguished by its elegance, simplicity, and meticulous attention to detail. Across his fashion photography, portraiture, and still life compositions, Penn captured the essence of his subjects with a minimalist aesthetic, often employing stark backdrops to accentuate their presence. Beyond his celebrated portraits, Penn's pioneering techniques and commitment to craftsmanship have firmly established him as one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. His depiction of the American caricaturist Saul Steinberg, wearing a paper bag over his head, demonstrates his knack for conveying personality and intellect through unconventional means, highlighting not just the physical absence of Steinberg's face but also hinting at his inner world and artistic spirit. Penn's mastery of the Platinum-Palladium printing process, renowned for its rich tonal range and archival durability, bestowed his photographs with depth and a unique quality that continues to resonate within the realm of photography. Another print of this image resides in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. – Small backed tear in right margin, lower corner, otherwise a fine tonal print in near excellent condition.

Lit.: John Szarkowski. Irving Penn. The Museum of Modern Art, New York 1984, ill. pl. 143.
Irving Penn, Passage: A Work Record, New York 1991, ill. p. 158.
Sarah Greenough. Irving Penn: Platinum Prints, Washington, D.C. 2005, ill. pl. 43.
Magdalene Keaney. Irving Penn Portrait. London 2010, cover image.
Maria Morris Hambourg/Jeff L. Rosenheim. Irving Penn: Centennial. New York 2017, ill. pl. 183.

Penn, Irving. September 13. - November 27., 1984, Museum of Modern Art, New York. Offset. 56 x 76 cm. New York, MOMA, 1984.
Plakat für Irving Penns (1917-2009) Austellung 1984 in dem Museum of Modern Art. – In sehr schönem Zustand.