Man Ray, Lee Miller, 1930 circa© Man Ray 2015 Trust
Elizabeth “Lee” Miller born in New York U.S on 23rd April 1907 and died in East Sussex England on 21st July 1977.
Lee Miller – one of the most remarkable artists of our generation. A celebrated photographer, respected member of the Surrealist art movement, war correspondent, model and gourmet chef.
In 1926 at the age of 19 Lee left home and began a modelling career in New York. After a chance meeting with publishing magnate Condé Nast she was hired to model for Vogue where she featured on the cover of both British and American Vogue editions in 1927.
Looking to diversify and change direction, Lee had learnt about photography from her father who was a passionate photographer. Lee’s moto ‘I’d rather take a picture then be a picture’
Lee left New York for Paris where she sought out the American photographer and surrealist artist Man Ray whom she lived with for three years as his lover and muse. He taught her photography, and in 1929 they developed and worked on solarisation - a technique that reversed the negative and positive parts of a photo and produced halo like outlines that enhanced the lights and darks. Man Ray created some of his most recognised works while he was involved with and collaborating with Miller, including Observatory Time the Lovers which features Miller’s lips.
Original Title - A l'Heure de l'observatoire: Les amoureux 1936 which features Miller’s lips by Man Ray
By 1943 Miller had become an accredited war correspondent for Vogue, and the following year she teamed up with Life photojournalist David E. Scherman. Together they followed the 83rd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army as it advanced on the front lines. Miller became the first female photojournalist to do so.
Lee Miller with children 1944 © David E Scherman—The LIFE Picture Collection
Picasso and Édouard Pignon in his studio photographed by Lee Miller in
La Fournas, France 1953
After returning to Britain from central Europe, Lee suffered severe depression which her son Anthony Penrose believes was due to post traumatic stress disorder. Anthony published her biography, The Lives of Lee Miller, and described her alcoholism as well as her self-recovery from alcohol abuse.
While Lee continued to do the occasional photo shoot for Vogue, she soon discarded the darkroom for the kitchen, becoming a gourmet cook. According to her housekeeper Patsy, she specialised in "historical food" like roast suckling pig.
Lee Miller died of lung cancer at Farley Farm House in 1977, aged 70. She was cremated and her ashes were spread through her herb garden at Farley House, Chiddingly, East Sussex.
A film about Lee Miller’s life featuring Kate Winslet as Lee was released earlier this year. Based on the book by her son Anthony Penrose The Lives of Lee Miller.
Well worth reading and watching to learn more about this remarkable woman – Lee Miller.
Find out more about Man Ray and Lee Miller’s fascinating relationship here
Next month I’ll be featuring the work of photographer Diane Arbus 1923 -1971 . An American photographer who photographed a wide range of subjects including strippers, carnival performers, nudists, people with dwarfism, children, mothers, couples, elderly people, and middle class families.
Thank you for reading
Stella
