Irving Penn: PENN & FASHION

The MEP presents PENN & FASHION, an exhibition paying tribute to Irving Penn, one of the most influential photographers of the twentieth century. With a body of work that was consistently ahead of its time, Penn left a profound mark on the history of fashion photography through his collaboration with Vogue magazine, which spanned more than six decades. His refined aesthetic and exceptional mastery of composition have influenced generations of photographers.

The exhibition unfolds chronologically, tracing Penn’s career from 1947 to 2008. It begins in the 1950s with his celebrated photographs of Parisian haute couture collections, including those of Dior and Balenciaga, and concludes with his striking beauty photographs for Vogue in the 1990s and 2000s, revealing the creativity and modernity of an artist whose work continues to offer new perspectives.

Always faithful to a rigorous artistic vision, regardless of the nature of the commission, Penn brought art, fashion and commerce together with exceptional mastery. His work is characterised by an aesthetic of elegant simplicity. Each image was the result of a meticulous process of reflection and experimentation, culminating in timeless compositions produced through sophisticated printing techniques. Many of these photographs have since become icons in the history of photography.