Currently, on view at MOPA, Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty presents the work of a nearly seventy-year career in photography. While many are familiar with Penn’s iconic fashion images for Vogue, he explored a variety of subjects throughout his life.

We sat down with Merry Foresta, MOPA’s Curator-at-Large, to learn more about the Penn’s life and work. Here, she elaborates on Irving Penn’s photographic practice and his influence on fashion and media culture.