Before working with Alexander Liberman and Vogue, Irving Penn (1917–2009) studied with the design genius Alexey Brodovitch, and then traveled to Mexico to find his artistic voice. He hadn’t yet chosen a medium and was exploring photography, painting, and printmaking. Photography chose him. During W.W. II, Penn took shots of soldiers and military life for the American Field Service. When he returned to the U.S. his star rose swiftly—his striking portraits were like no one else’s. Over five decades, the introverted Penn would shoot the world’s biggest stars and a record-breaking 150 Vogue covers. This large-scale exhibition brings together 175 of his photographs. —Elena Clavarino