Irving Penn
The Twelve Most Photographed Models (A)

Image non disponible pour The Twelve Most Photographed Models (A)

© Condé Nast

The Twelve Most Photographed Models (A)
Image non disponible pour The Twelve Most Photographed Models (A)
ArtistAmerican, 1917–2009
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • The Twelve Most Photographed Models (A)
Date1947
PlaceNew York City, New York, United States
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 7 5/8 × 9 9/16 in. (19.4 × 24.3 cm)
Sheet: 7 15/16 × 9 7/8 in. (20.2 × 25.1 cm)
Credit LineGift of the artist
Object number2000.545
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Photography
Object Type
Description

At first glance, Irving Penn’s The Twelve Most Photographed Models (A)
seems like a traditional image of
ladies in their finery, but closer inspection
reveals its new stylistic approach to fashion
photography. Rather than a grandly decorated room,
the setting is a photo studio, exposed at edge
of the backdrop, along with an unpainted ladder
and pieces of rugs. The combination of high
style and visual awareness gives the image
its power. Penn has pulled back the curtain,
revealing the reality behind the fantasy.









ProvenanceThe artist, New York; given to MFAH, 2000.
Exhibition History"A Love Affair with Pictures: 25 Years of Collecting Photographs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, October 14–December 30, 2001.

"Icons of Style: A Century of Fashion Photography," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, June 23–September 22, 2019.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Stamped in black, verso: Photograph by Irving Penn // Copyright (c) 1947 by // THE CONDE NAST PUBLICATIONS INC. // Not to be reproduced without // written permission of the // copyright owner.

Label on verso: Meant to be shown only in // conjunction with // ¦The Twelve Most Photographed // Models (A)¦, New York, 1947 / NOT PART OF AN EDITION
[**note that this label is likely mistakenly on this print. A similar mistake was made with a label on its companion**]

Signed in black, in a circle, verso.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

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1990
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1969, printed 1991
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Irving Penn
1995
Gelatin silver print
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Irving Penn
1992–1995
Gelatin silver proof print
2000.552
Irving Penn
1993
Gelatin silver print
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Irving Penn
August 5, 1996
Gelatin silver print, guide proof
2000.554
Irving Penn
October 2, 2003, printed November 2003
Gelatin silver print
2004.1210