Irving Penn American, 1917-2009

This iconic portrait of French writer Colette (1873-1954) was taken by Irving Penn when she was 77 years old. The choice of a low-angle and close-up crop highlight the greatness of the already historical model. Adopting a relaxed pose, slightly leaning backward, a plaid wrapped around her waist, her fist is holding her chin reminiscing the Thinker by August Rodin. She is depicted deeply thinking, her eyes wrinkled by the years and the heavy black eyeliner, are looking straight at the viewer. The variety of motifs and textures from her clothes create a contrast with the simplicity of the set up, hence highlighting the complexity of one of the most influential vice in women's writing.

Platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted to aluminum, signed, titled, dated, editioned '30/50,' and annotated in pencil and stamped on the reverse, printed in 1972

The annotations on the reverse are: '1870' [circled], Paper on Aluminum / Multiple coating and printing / 1 Palladium / 2 Platinum - Palladium / Print made late 1972' / + signature [circled] + '30/50' [circled]

The stamps read 'Hand-coated by the photographer' and 'Deacidified.'

The edition stamp on the reverse indicates that in addition to the 50 numbered prints in platinum, there may also exist no more than 25 unnumbered, but signed, gelatin silver prints.