The most rebellious female photographer of all time? Lee Miller | Artist in Focus | V&A

Summary

Lee Miller was a pioneering American surrealist photographer, model, and war correspondent whose work defied the conventions of her time. Starting as a Vogue model in New York, she transitioned to photography under Man Ray in Paris, becoming an integral part of the surrealist movement. Miller’s photographic work challenged traditional representations of women, exploring themes of identity and the human body. During WWII, she documented the horrors of the Holocaust as a war correspondent. Her legacy endures through her powerful images and her role as a trailblazer for women in both art and journalism.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lee Miller was a multi-faceted artist: a surrealist photographer, model, fashion photographer, portrait photographer, and World War II correspondent.
• 😀 Lee Miller defied societal expectations and pursued her passions with determination, never allowing others to limit her ambitions.
• 😀 Lee Miller began her career as a model in New York, even appearing on the cover of American Vogue in 1927 before transitioning to photography.
• 😀 In Paris, she apprenticed under the surrealist photographer Man Ray, contributing to the iconic Electricité portfolio and experimenting with creative techniques.
• 😀 Lee Miller's surrealist photography often depicted her own body in abstract ways, challenging the objectification of women by male artists like Man Ray.
• 😀 Lee Miller became an independent photographer after leaving Man Ray, building her own studio and working with notable photographers like Hoyningen-Huene.
• 😀 Lee Miller's surrealist images were often provocative, including a controversial photo of a mastectomy, critiquing the objectification of women's bodies.
• 😀 Lee Miller became a war correspondent during World War II, photographing the aftermath of the concentration camps and working tirelessly to document the horrors of war.
• 😀 One of Lee Miller's most iconic wartime photographs was taken after the liberation of concentration camps, showing the grim realities of human suffering.
• 😀 After the war, Lee Miller struggled to transition back to fashion photography, finding it difficult to work in a world so far removed from the trauma she had witnessed.
• 😀 Lee Miller's final published photo-journalistic article in 1953, ‘Working Guests,’ highlighted her personal life on a farm with famous artists doing everyday tasks, reflecting her irreverent humor and creative spirit.

Q & A

Who was Lee Miller and what were her major roles?

Lee Miller was a multi-talented woman, a surrealist photographer, model, fashion and portrait photographer, World War II correspondent, and an overall pioneering figure. She was also the grandmother of the speaker in the transcript.

How did Lee Miller transition from modeling to photography?

Lee Miller transitioned from modeling to photography after an incident involving a photograph of her being used to advertise a sanitary product. This led her to leave America and move to Paris, where she apprenticed with the surrealist photographer Man Ray.

What was the significance of Lee Miller's apprenticeship with Man Ray?

Lee Miller's apprenticeship with Man Ray was crucial in her development as a photographer. She worked alongside him on the 'Electricité' portfolio, which combined artistic photography with commercial promotion. This experience helped her refine her skills and led to her own career as a photographer.

What kind of art did Lee Miller contribute to during her time in Paris?

In Paris, Lee Miller contributed to the surrealist movement, working on projects like the 'Electricité' portfolio with Man Ray. She also posed for many photographers and artists, including Picasso, and participated in avant-garde films like Jean Cocteau's 'The Blood of a Poet.'

What was the controversial photograph Lee Miller took involving a radical mastectomy?

Lee Miller photographed a radical mastectomy, and after obtaining one of the removed breasts, she placed it on a plate with a knife and fork as a surrealist image. The photograph commented on objectification and the commodification of women’s bodies.

How did Lee Miller's photography challenge societal norms?

Lee Miller’s photography often challenged societal norms, particularly regarding the objectification of women. She used her art to address taboo topics, like in her radical mastectomy photo, and depicted surreal and thought-provoking images that questioned conventional views.

What role did Lee Miller play during World War II?

During World War II, Lee Miller became a war correspondent, documenting the war's impact, including covering the liberation of concentration camps. She was one of the few female photographers at the time to cover such subjects, often capturing the raw and devastating realities of the war.

What was the significance of the photograph Lee Miller took at the Mayor of Leipzig’s office?

Lee Miller’s photograph of Regina Lisso, taken at the Mayor of Leipzig’s office after the suicide of the mayor's family, is poignant and dignified. Unlike other journalists, Miller's framing of the scene preserved the dignity of the deceased, capturing the tragic moment with sensitivity.

How did Lee Miller contribute to the British war effort through her photography?

Lee Miller contributed to the British war effort by photographing soft propaganda for magazines like British Vogue, encouraging women to join the workforce, wear safety gear, and support the war effort. Her work helped communicate important messages while maintaining a connection to fashion and femininity.

What was the impact of Lee Miller's post-war photography and writing?

After the war, Lee Miller’s photography and writing became more introspective and personal. She faced emotional and mental challenges from the horrors she witnessed during the war, which led her to eventually step away from war photography. Her last article, published in 1953, humorously depicted her friends helping with farm chores, showcasing her lighter side.