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Born
Irving Penn was born June 16, 1917 in Plainfield, N.J. Source: "Irving Penn Biography." Hamilton Gallery, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014.
Photo: "07063 Zip Code Detailed Profile." 07063 Zip Code (Plainfield, New Jersey) Profile. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
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Philadelphia Museum School of Art
Between 1934-1938, Penn attended the Museum School of Industrial Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (now known as the University of the Arts). Penn studied design under Alexey Brodovitch. Penn asked to assit Brodovitchd during the summers at Harper's Bazaar, which later allowed him to get a full-time position after graduation and meet famous photographers. Source and Photo: "Irving Penn Biography." Hamiltons. Hamilton Gallery, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
Purchased First Camera
After his graduation in 1938, Penn purchased a Rolleiflex camera. He explored New York with it to take photographs of the street scenes and peculiar window displays, and also took the camera with him to Mexico. This allowed him to experiment with a camera prior to accepting a job at Vogue in 1942. Source and Photo: "The Art Institute of Chicago." Cameras and Techniques. Chicago Art Institute, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
First Cover Published by Vogue
Penn's photography is featured on the cover of Vogue for the first time. It is a still-life image of a scarf, gloves, and a leather bag. Throughout his career, Penn's photographs appeared on more than 150 Vogue covers for the next half century. Source and Photo: "Photos: Irving Penn | 1917-2009." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
Took first portraits for Vogue
In 1944, Penn started to take portraits of the elite class for Vogue magazine, and created photographic profiles. He continued to make portraits for Vogue until 2008, although he changed the style over time. This included portraits with symbols, corner protraits, and head-and-shoulder portraits. Source and Photo: "The Art Institute of Chicago." Portraits. Art Institute of Chicago, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
Opened Studio In Peru
In 1948, while working on assignment in Peru, Penn rented a studio from a local photographer. For the next few years, he used this studio to capture over 200 images against a painted backdrop. Source: "Irving Penn Biography." Hamiltons. Hamilton Gallery, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. Photo: The Art Institute of Chicago. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2014. -
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Nude Collection
From summer 1949 through January 1950, Penn photographed and printed a series of nudes. This was his first major independent photographic project that was artistic. These photographs went largely unseen until 1980. Source: "The Art Institute of Chicago." Nudes. Art Institute of Chicago, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
Married Lisa Fonssagrives
In 1950, Irving married Lisa Fonssagrives. She was a leading fashion model, an artist and his collaborator. Their marriage lasted 42 years, until her death in 1992. Source and Photo: Grundberg, Andy. "Irving Penn, Fashion Photographer, Is Dead at 92." The New York Times. The New York Times, 07 Oct. 2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
Shot First Black & White Vogue Cover
Penn shot his first black and white cover for Vogue, although the magazine had published color covers continuously for the past 18 years. The photo featured model Jean Patchett behind a veil and wearing a large floppy hat. Penn used the black horizontal dress to contrast the vertical white scarf, proving he had a keen eye for composition. Source and Photo: "Irving Penn." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 08 Oct. 2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
Published First Independent Book
In 1960, his first independent book, Moments Preserved, is published by Simon & Schuster. It was a survey of his work from the previous 17 years at Vogue. This book helped viewers understand Penn's work because he provided information about camera techniques, his experiences, his inspirations, and other background information. Source and Photo: "The Art Institute of Chicago." Book Projects|Irving Penn. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
Began "Flowers" Series
Penn began his "Flowers" assignment for Vogue's December issue. Over the course of seven years, he spent an entire year photographing one flower, including poppies, roses, lillies and more. He used the assignment to show the flowers eventually weltering away and symbolize death. Source and Photo: "Irving Penn - Flowers." Hamiltons. Web. 6 Nov. 2014. -
Resumed Drawing and Painting
In 1987, Penn resumed drawing and painting. Although he studied these forms of art while attending school, he gave up the two hobbies at the start of his photographic career saying he would only ever be a "mediocre painter." Source and Photo: "The Art Institute of Chicago." Overview. Chicago Art Institute, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
Donated to Art Institute of Chicago
In 1955, Penn donated his archive to the Art Institute of Chicago. This donation made the museum one of the world's leading repositories for his photographs and other material. Source: Janauskas, Jennifer. "The Art Institute of Chicago." The Irving Penn Archives at the Art Institute of Chicago. Art Institute of Chicago, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. Photo: "Sally Kirkland and Mrs. Jarechi's Child." Art Institute of Chicago. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. -
Died
Penn died at his home in Manhattan, NY. He was 92 years old. His work is still viewed around the world and widely exhibited in major collections that show his multifaceted career. Source: Grundberg, Andy. "Irving Penn, Fashion Photographer, Is Dead at 92." The New York Times. The New York Times, 07 Oct. 2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. Photo: "University of Texas Libraries." New York Maps. University of Texas, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014.
