Irving Penn sought innovation in his work. Even at the age of 85, he created one of the most outré and technically difficult works of his career. Vogue had commissioned Penn to photograph a piece for an article describing the harm cold water can do to the skin. Possibly indicative of his cynicism of the project, Penn produced Head in Ice. He took a decapitated, red-lipped mannequin, froze the head in ice, and chipped away at the ice block with a pick. The result is simultaneously macabre and elegant. Irving Penn for Vogue, 2002. #vintagevogue #voguevintage #2000s #voguemagazine #irvingpenn