Irving Penn

Thaddaeus Ropac Paris Marais presents Irving Penn, an exhibition focusing on the artist’s significant contributions to photographic portraiture. The show spans Penn's career, from an early portrait of Marcel Duchamp to a later image of Elizabeth Peyton. Penn is recognized for elevating photography to the status of fine art, with his portraits noted for their technical skill and emotional depth.

The exhibition highlights Penn's engagement with prominent figures of the 20th-century avant-garde. Works featured include John Cage interacting with a piano and Willem de Kooning in deep thought. A notable section details the challenging session with Pablo Picasso, where Penn captured the artist's likeness with psychological acuity, famously obtaining a striking close-up of Picasso's eye.