Who was Irving Penn and what were some of his famous photographs and works of art?

Irving Penn was an American photographer known for his iconic portraits, fashion photography, and still life images. Born in 1917, Penn started his career as a graphic designer and illustrator for Harper's Bazaar magazine, where he was eventually hired as a staff photographer in 1943. Penn's distinctive style often featured stark, minimalist compositions and striking use of light and shadow.

One of Penn's most famous photographs is the 1950 portrait of the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, which is notable for its simplicity and directness. Another well-known work is the series of portraits Penn made of indigenous peoples in New Guinea and Peru during the 1970s. His still life photographs of cigarette butts, food, and other everyday objects are also highly regarded.

Penn's work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution. He received many awards and honors during his lifetime, including the National Medal of Arts in 1992. Penn passed away in 2009, leaving behind a rich legacy of photographic art.