Before Irving Penn became one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, he tried his hand at painting in Mexico in the early 1940s. Though he ultimately destroyed those early canvases, the discipline of drawing never left him — it shaped the meticulous way he constructed his photographs and later resurfaced in richly layered works that fused photography, watercolor, and ink. In addition to still life subjects, Penn also drew inspiration from the landscape of the west coast of Sweden where he and his wife summered. As seen in 'Untitled', the distinctive flora and fauna of the area frequently entered into his abstract compositions. Visual Language: The Art of Irving Penn New York Auction 8 October Irving Penn painting: © The Irving Penn Foundation #TheArtOfIrvingPenn #IrvingPenn