Breaking: Irving Penn Dies

I’m hearing via email sources and twitter that the great Irving Penn has died (age, 92).

NYTimes Obit: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/arts/design/08penn.html

Comments 36

  1. Kram Namloc wrote:

    OMG, hope it’s not true. Maybe the greatest of all time. A true inspiration.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 1:39 pm
  2. bob scott wrote:

    Irving Penn RIP

    My first college project was to simulate a master advertising photographers work. I chose Irving Penn’s color soap image. He will be missed.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 1:51 pm
  3. Anthony Saint James wrote:

    I can’t believe it! My greatest inspiration. And the greatest artist to come from New Jersey.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 1:55 pm
  4. dsh wrote:

    He was my favorite photographer. When I traveled to Gordon Parks funeral I kept looking around hoping to see him…
    Very sad day

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 1:56 pm
  5. dsh wrote:

    Has anyone seen any videos of Irving Penn?

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 1:57 pm
  6. Max wrote:

    RIP Irving Penn the best photographer i ever seen, the one i admire the most and look for inspiration,.
    it’s a sad day for art.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:00 pm
  7. Lignier wrote:

    Yes very sad day, amazing photographer…

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:05 pm
  8. rda.photo wrote:

    is this confirmed?

    [Reply]

    A Photo Editor Reply:

    @rda.photo,
    NYTimes just confirmed.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:07 pm
  9. Manuello Paganelli wrote:

    A very sad day. He was GENIAL!! My fav photographer ever. He was ahead of his time.

    Manuello Paganelli
    Los Angeles

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:13 pm
  10. Kenneth Rimm wrote:

    Sad news-He has been a great inspiration-his book Passage is still a favorite in my collection.

    Kenneth Rimm

    Copenhagen Denmark

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:21 pm
  11. Charles Kay, Jr. wrote:

    I met Mr. Penn on my birthday several years ago when I first visited NYC. Years later I returned to have him sign a rare book for my wife. He was sitting there reading a book on the life of Pablo Picasso. He will always be a source of inspiration in my work. Mr. Penn may you rest in peace.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:25 pm
  12. Kwaku Kufuor wrote:

    Very very sad news and a great loss to the photography world. He was one of the main reasons I love black and white photography.
    Rest in peace Irving.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:25 pm
  13. Sara McCoy wrote:

    OMG this is so very sad! Although he lived a long and amazing life he will still be missed tremendously :(

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:26 pm
  14. Debra Frieden wrote:

    An incredible loss.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:30 pm
  15. arlene johnson wrote:

    He was my favorite all-time photographer. Brilliant talent!
    Arlene

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:43 pm
  16. Brian Smith wrote:

    Irving Penn was an amazing and inspirational photographer whose work never ceased to inspire. A true artist right up to the end. If you’re anywhere near LA between now and January, don’t miss his “Small Trades” exhibit at The Getty of 252 of his prints from the series. It’s fantastic to see the body of work as Penn wished to have it presented.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:51 pm
  17. Pat wrote:

    Irving Penn’s photographs, style and legacy will never get old.
    Dibs on the cold head enlarger.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 2:54 pm
  18. Brooks Ayola wrote:

    A sad day, indeed.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 3:14 pm
  19. Ken wrote:

    I remember hearing a story…though it could be urban legend…about a new assistant of his, eager to please, cleaned all his studio windows from years of a built up patina of grime that provided him with a beautiful diffusion of light. He wasn’t pleased.

    He did light beautifully, but his images were always about the subject. A tremendous inspiration.

    RIP

    [Reply]

    tim Reply:

    @Ken,
    yes that would be Dennis Manarchy.

    [Reply]

    tim Reply:

    @tim,
    sorry it was Douglas Kirkland, brain cramp there.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 3:32 pm
  20. Kram Namloc wrote:

    Seeing this qote regarding the camera; “I recognize it for the instrument it is, part Stradivarius, part scalpel.” Irving Penn, made me think maybe he *never* shot digitally. Anyone know?

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 4:17 pm
  21. Christy wrote:

    I guess I was hoping he was an immortal demi-god. Rest in peace Irving Penn. Thank you for all you have given us.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 5:23 pm
  22. Cameron Davidson wrote:

    The classic. Unequalled and a huge inspiration. I remember devouring articles I read about him when I was a teenager.

    The best!

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 7:00 pm
  23. scott Rex Ely wrote:

    From the Smiths,
    There is a light and it never goes out……..

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 7:49 pm
  24. scott Rex Ely wrote:

    Richard Burton

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 8:00 pm
  25. Frank Gross wrote:

    May his soul rest in peace.
    He inspired an entire generation and was certianly my hero and guide.
    Frank

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 8:13 pm
  26. Christopher Bush wrote:

    A tremendously sad loss, although 92 is definitely something I hope I can match (I type, as I swig on a glass of booze).

    It does make me think, though, how young fashion photography really is as a genre.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 8:25 pm
  27. Greg Foster wrote:

    Irving Penn was the living counterpoint to all the noise and clutter in modern photography in recent years.

    What an incredible career, what an incredible life, he was the embodiment of classic.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 8:27 pm
  28. anthony luke wrote:

    The master has left us.

    http://anthonylukephotography.blogspot.com/2009/10/death-of-master-irving-penn-dies-at-age.html

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 8:32 pm
  29. Bill Kauffman wrote:

    Thank you Irving.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 9:14 pm
  30. th wrote:

    RIP. I was in his studio one time, what I remembered was a Deardorf 8×10, barrel lens, no shutter (black card to hold in front of the lens), old Speedo pack and a softbox. That was it. From the viewpoint of a still-life photographer, he was the man.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 10:27 pm
  31. Ed Hamlin wrote:

    Irving Penn was a tallented artist in many ways, to set an iconic standard for fashion as did Ansel Adams for Landscapes and black and white photography. It is a los that will be felt for years to come. May God bless his family may they have peace in this time.

    [Reply]

    Posted 07 Oct 2009 at 10:40 pm
  32. cellardoor wrote:

    If there was a better photographer I never saw him. A great loss for the human race. RIP Irving. Thank you.

    [Reply]

    Posted 08 Oct 2009 at 1:42 am
  33. shahnyboy wrote:

    I hear he kept shooting till the very end…

    Is there a way to see his more recent work?
    It’s awfully difficult to find!

    [Reply]

    Posted 08 Oct 2009 at 1:51 am
  34. Wendy Yellin Hill wrote:

    I worked for Mr. Penn for several years as a photograph and negative retoucher in the 80’s. He was the kindest man, soft spoken, intelligent, always the epitome of a gentleman, a genius with light. He always put his subjects at ease. These were the days of Vanity Fair covers. His wife Lisa used to bake chocolate chip cookies for us. Working there was a gift – I never saw it as work but as a priviliege. RIP Mr. Penn. Your genius will never be duplicated.

    [Reply]

    Posted 08 Oct 2009 at 9:46 am
  35. Lise Varrette wrote:

    When I first discovered Irving Penn back in my New England School of Photography days, I felt I had discovered a great treasure . Irving Penn’s work has meant so much to so many people. His work is beautiful and was my true inspiration on becoming a photographer, thanks Irving.

    [Reply]

    Posted 08 Oct 2009 at 10:12 am
  36. Terry Thomas Photos wrote:

    His photographs will live on to inspire future generations of photographers.

    Nicely written obit.

    Terry Thomas…
    the photographer
    Atlanta, Georgia USA
    http://TerryThomasPhotos.com

    [Reply]

    Posted 09 Oct 2009 at 6:12 am

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