Iconic Photographers’ Images in Paris Sale
7th November 2011 His fabulous photos elegantly graced the pages of Vogue and he photographed some of the most important luminaries of the 20th century – including Igor Stravinsky, Marlene Dietrich, Jean Cocteau,Truman Capote, and Georgia O’Keefe. Now for the first time in Europe, photos by American photographer Irving Penn will be auctioned at Christie’s Paris, on 12th Novembre. The 52 photos to be sold, estimated at €1.6 million, will benefit Médecins Sans Frontières. Penn’s fascinating images express sophisticated elegance with austere backgrounds, and subtle lighting – he rarely used props or backdrops. He married his favourite model, Lisa Fonissagrives, (shown above in the Harlequin Dress 1950, estimation €200,000-€300,000, copyright Condé Nast Publications Inc.), and she featured in many of his photos. Viewing is open to the public from Monday 7 to Friday 11 November, at Christie’s, 9 avenue Matignon, 75008. The sale takes place on Saturday at 19h00. www.christies.com JG
