"Irving Penn: Centennial" at the MOP Foundation

The exhibition explores Irving Penn's deep interest in the ephemeral and complexities of the human condition, which is evident not only in his portraits but also in the masterful still lifes that define his career. 

Irving Penn understood photography as an art long before it was widely recognized as such, and in his work he combined nuanced composition with an uncanny talent for observing human expression, attitude, and behavior.

The pieces on display courtesy of The Irving Penn Foundation at the MOP Foundation include Penn's portraits of celebrities, cultural figures, workers with their work tools, abstract nudes, early documentaries of street scenes, floral compositions, street signs and trash, fashion studies, and still lifes. But Penn's egalitarian spirit and keen photographic sensitivity made his work with ordinary people such as merchants and street vendors just as moving and impactful.

Irving Penn: Centennial is the fourth in a series of international exhibitions presented by the MOP Foundation, whose president, Marta Ortega Pérez, says: “Irving Penn’s image-making is exemplary. In Penn’s hands, the everyday becomes extraordinary and reveals the profound beauty of simplicity. His work consists of more than just capturing moments; he captures the essence of his subjects and invites us to see the world in a different way. His lasting legacy lies in the ability of his photographs to stimulate our imagination every time we see them. 

It is a true honour to be able to present this magnificent exhibition in A Coruña and to continue with our goal of presenting the best fashion photography exhibitions. Irving Penn: Centennial is a wonderful odyssey through the lens of one of the greatest professionals of photography. A celebration of the art, vision and printmaking of a photographer whose work remains as relevant and powerful as it was decades ago.”

Irving Penn had an uncanny ability to infuse his photographs with a sense of timelessness and narrative depth, whether capturing the tired eyes of workers, the serene beauty of models, or the poignancy of aging flowers. His work is characterized by a relentless pursuit of perfection and an unerring eye for detail, which extended to his meticulous approach to printmaking.

As a featured photographer for Vogue magazine, Penn was uniquely positioned to create a record of 20th-century cultural history. The exhibition features Penn’s photographs of figures such as Marlene Dietrich and Audrey Hepburn, renowned designers such as Gianni Versace, Issey Miyake, and Yves Saint Laurent, and important writers and artists such as Truman Capote, Joan Didion, Salvador Dalí, Zaha Hadid, and Richard Avedon.

Open to the public at the MOP Foundation from November 23, 2024, to May 1, 2025, Irving Penn: Centennial is the most comprehensive retrospective of the celebrated photographer presented to date, an exhibition that reveals his extraordinary versatility and artistic range.