Irving Penn, Elsa Schiaparelli, March 29, 1948, printed ca. 1948. Printed in the USA. Measures 5 x 7 in.

Irving Penn celebrates the approximately seven-decade career of one of the twentieth century’s most talented and preeminent photographers, known for his pared-down aesthetic, extraordinary technical skill, and artistic experimentation with the medium. A superb photographer of style, the exhibition at the de Young museum features 196 photographs ranging from Penn’s early documentary scenes and celebrity portraits to abstract nudes and fashion stills.