Artist
Irving Penn (American, 1917–2009)American, 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)
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
PhotographyObject Type
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**]
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.
Irving Penn
1969, printed 1991
Gelatin silver print with selenium toning
94.747
Irving Penn
c. 1939, printed 1983
Gelatin silver print with selenium toning
93.311