Lee Miller: How Model-Turned-War Photographer Is Finally Getting Her Due

The highly anticipated biographical film Lee is set to hit theatres this September, bringing to light the extraordinary life of American photographer Lee Miller. Filmed in Croatia, primarily in Dubrovnik, the movie features Oscar-winner Kate Winslet in the leading role, alongside a stellar cast that includes Marion Cotillard, Jude Law, Josh O’Connor, Andy Samberg, and Alexander Skarsgård. The film is directed by the acclaimed Ellen Kuras.

The Story Behind the Film

Lee is adapted from the book The Lives of Lee Miller by Antony Penrose, Miller's son and historian. The film delves into the years between 1938 and 1948, shedding light on the life of Miller, who was a pioneering female war correspondent in Europe during World War II. Despite her significant contributions, Miller's work was relatively unknown to the general public until a major rediscovery.

Rediscovery and Growing Recognition

Lee Miller’s name was known mainly within art circles when she passed away in 1977 at age 70. While she had notable achievements, such as photographing World War II atrocities and modelling for Man Ray and Vogue, her legacy didn’t fully reflect her impact on art history. This changed dramatically in 2013 when her son Antony Penrose discovered an extensive archive of her work in an attic. The Lee Miller Archive was established in England, providing a proper platform for her over 80,000 negatives to be studied and appreciated.

The growing and newfound interest in Miller’s work is evident from the recent exhibitions dedicated to her. The Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, hosted a show in July 2021 focusing on her role in the Surrealist movement, while an exhibition of her fashion photography happened in May 2021 at her former home in East Sussex.

A Dynamic Career

Miller's career was marked by a dynamic range of roles: from a model and muse to a fashion photographer and war correspondent. Her "restlessness," as she described it, may have driven her to excel in these diverse fields. One iconic image from 1945 shows her in a bath—specifically, Adolf Hitler’s bath—captured by David E. Scherman. This photograph, taken after the liberation of Dachau concentration camp, symbolises both a victory over a dictator and a reclaiming of power.

A Troubled Childhood

Miller's early life was fraught with trauma. Born in 1907 in Poughkeepsie, New York, she was sexually assaulted at mere age seven, which some believe influenced her later experiences as a war reporter. Her father, an amateur photographer, took controversial nude photos of her during her adolescence, sparking debates about what they meant. Despite these challenges, Miller's early exposure to photography laid the groundwork for her future career.

Rising Star in Fashion and Surrealism

Miller’s modelling career took off in 1927 when she was discovered by publisher Condé Nast and featured on the cover of Vogue. She soon trained with Surrealist artist Man Ray in Paris, contributing to his invention of the "solarization" technique. Their collaboration extended into a romantic relationship, and Miller became an integral part of the Surrealist movement, associating with figures like Picasso, Cocteau, and Dalí.

War Correspondent and Photojournalist

In the late 1930s, Miller’s career took another turn when she became a war correspondent. She began working with Vogue, transforming it from a fashion magazine into a platform for serious news coverage. Her photographs from the front lines of World War II, including those of the aftermath of battles and concentration camps, provided stark evidence of the war's horrors.

Miller’s work was crucial in documenting the atrocities of the war. Her images of the liberation of concentration camps were some of the first graphic portrayals seen by the public, challenging disbelievers and providing undeniable proof of the camps’ horrors. Despite the graphic nature of her work, she maintained a unique Surrealist perspective that often lent an almost lyrical beauty to her war photography.

Later Life and Legacy

In her later years, Miller lived in East Sussex with Roland Penrose and experienced personal struggles, including depression and alcoholism. Despite efforts from her family to promote her work, she preferred to move on from her past, expressing a desire to forget her wartime experiences.

Lee Miller’s journey from fashion icon to Surrealist muse and then to war correspondent is a testament to her remarkable versatility and resilience. As the film Lee prepares to bring her story to a broader audience, it highlights the enduring significance of Miller’s contributions to art and journalism, ensuring that her groundbreaking work continues to inspire and educate future generations.