by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 11^th of November 2024

Recently I saw the film 'Lee Miller' with Kate Winslet by director Ellen Kuras and was really impressed. I can recommend it to everyone. The film carefully recreates Lee's shots and is truthful. I thought this article could be a great way to commemorate the 11th of November.

LEE MILLER is 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.  She was born in 1907 in Poughkeepsie, New York and passed away in 1977. She is also known as the most rebellious female photographer of all time.

In the 1920s, she moved to Paris, where she became a prominent model and immersed herself in the Surrealist art scene. Her relationships with artists like Man Ray and Pablo Picasso were influential; her romance with Man Ray particularly shaped her artistic development.

Man Ray and Lee

Man Ray shaped Lee's artistic development

Lee was more than a model to Man Ray but also his muse

Picasso and Lee (after the liberation of Paris)

During World War II, Miller's life took a dramatic turn as she became a war correspondent, documenting the conflict with a unique and personal perspective. After moving to London, she became involved with the British Surrealist movement and began photographing air raids and life during wartime.

Lee at Vogue Studio 18 in London

Miller's most notable work occurred after she became a correspondent for Vogue. Miller produced several photographic series on women who were contributing in many ways to the war effort.

She covered significant events, including the D-Day invasion and the liberation of Paris. Her photographs captured the raw realities of war, portraying both the destruction and the resilience of people affected by it.

One of her most impactful moments was photographing the aftermath of the liberation of concentration camps, where her images revealed the horrors of the Holocaust. These photographs were powerful, visceral, and often shocking, challenging viewers to confront the brutality of war.
Miller's approach combined her artistic background with a journalistic commitment to truth, making her work not only visually striking but also profoundly meaningful. Her contributions to war photography have solidified her place as a pioneering figure in the field.

There’s one picture of Lee Miller that you don’t forget. The famed war photographer sits in a bathtub, soaping her shoulder, an air of rugged glamour about her. Beside her on the mat is a pair of dirty boots – to the left is a portrait of Adolf Hitler. It is 30 April 1945, the day that the Fuhrer killed himself in his bunker in Berlin, and Miller, her boots thick with the mud of Dachau, is bathing in his abandoned apartment in Munich. Until this moment, she has been travelling night and day in her capacity as war correspondent for Vogue, capturing images of the atrocities of war. She hadn’t taken her clothes off for three weeks.

Lee in the bathtub in Hitler's appartement in Munich

The same bathtub scene from the movie

After the war, she married British painter Roland Penrose, with whom she had a son, Anthony. The couple's home became a gathering place for artists and intellectuals, reflecting her continued engagement with the art world.

Despite her vibrant exterior, Miller struggled with deep emotional issues, particularly after her experiences during the war. This complexity added depth to her character; she was both an artist and a survivor, grappling with the realities of life and war. Overall, her personality was a blend of resilience, creativity, and a profound sensitivity to the world around her. Later in life, she turned to cooking and gardening, finding solace in these pursuits.

Lee Miller's photographic legacy is marked by her pioneering contributions to both fashion and war photography, as well as her innovative artistic style. Here are some key elements of her enduring impact:

Miller broke through the male-dominated fields of photography and photojournalism. Her success as both a model and a photographer paved the way for future generations of women artists and photographers, demonstrating that women could excel in multiple roles.

Miller's work blurred the lines between fine art and documentary photography. Her ability to infuse personal and emotional narratives into her war photography challenged traditional approaches and inspired later photographers to consider the emotional weight of their subjects.

Antony later became involved in preserving and promoting his mother’s legacy, ensuring that her contributions to art and photography were recognized. His efforts have played a crucial role in bringing her work back into the public eye.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Miller's work, leading to exhibitions and publications that celebrate her contributions. This renewed attention has helped to solidify her place in art history and raise awareness of her unique vision.