Irving Penn (1917-2009)

The legendary photographer died yesterday at the age of 92. The Daily Beast’s Philip Gefter recalls his genius. Plus, VIEW OUR GALLERY of Penn’s iconic images.

Irving Penn/ Morgan Library & Museum

Truman Capote, New York, 1948

Irving Penn/ Morgan Library & Museum

Jean Cocteau, Paris,1948

Irving Penn / Conde Nast Publications

S.J. Perelman, New York,1962

Irving Penn / Conde Nast Publications

Harlequin Dress (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn), New York, 1950

Conde Nast Publications, Inc.

Philip Roth, New York, 1983

Irving Penn / Conde Nast Publications

Colette, Paris, 1951

Irving Penn / Conde Nast Publications

Francis Bacon, London, 1962

Irving Penn / Conde Nast Publications

Pablo Picasso, Cannes, France, 1957

Irving Penn/ Morgan Library & Museum

Marcel Duchamp, New York, 1948

Irving Penn/ Morgan Library & Museum

Irving Penn’s Studio in Paris, Negative: 1950; Print: April 2000

Partial gift of Irving Penn. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 2008. 1.134.