Lee Miller

Lee Miller (born 1907, Poughkeepsie, New York – died 1977, East Sussex, England) was a pioneering American photographer and photojournalist who lived and worked primarily in Europe, notably in Paris, London, and later in Sussex. Initially a fashion model in the 1920s, she shifted behind the camera and became a prominent figure in the Surrealist movement, collaborating with artists such as Man Ray. Her photographic work spans portraiture, fashion, fine art, and war reportage. During the Second World War, she served as a correspondent for Vogue, capturing harrowing images of the London Blitz, the liberation of Paris, and the concentration camps at Buchenwald and Dachau — now considered iconic records of 20th-century history.

Miller’s work is held in major public collections including Tate, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Getty Museum. Although she was underrecognised during her lifetime, her posthumous reputation has grown significantly, with increasing representation in exhibitions and scholarship. Her market has strengthened in recent decades, with consistent secondary market activity and institutional interest supporting a steadily liquid art market presence. She remains a key figure in 20th-century photography, both for her technical skill and her groundbreaking role as a female photojournalist in wartime.