Lee Miller

A comprehensive look at the work of the groundbreaking photographer, foregrounding her importance as a surrealist artist

Fearless, poetic, and surreal, the work of American-born photographer Lee Miller (1907-1977) leads us on a helter-skelter journey through the twentieth century. An active participant in the avant-garde networks of her day, Miller worked across the United States, Europe, and North Africa over five decades, in a time when photography was not widely accepted as an art form. Nonetheless, as a model, surrealist, and war correspondent, she refused to allow her practice, or herself, to be defined by others' expectations. Her genre-bending photographs explored portraiture, fashion, still life, landscape, and reportage, all united by her unique artistic sensibility. Profoundly intelligent and original, her images reveal a world of uncanny beauty and ambiguity--often with a humorous edge.

Drawing on new archival research, Lee Miller features essays exploring every aspect of Miller's career, from her early years in Paris, New York, and Cairo to her wartime journalism and late portraits. Additionally, the British novelist, playwright, and poet Deborah Levy offers a personal reflection on Miller and her art. illustrated with hundreds of images, including ones previously unseen, the book peels back layers of mythology to celebrate an urgent creative voice.

Published in association with Tate

Exhibition Schedule:

Tate Britain
(October 2, 2025-February 16, 2026)

Mus e d'Art Moderne de Paris
(April 3-July 26, 2026)

Art Institute of Chicago
(August 29-December 7, 2026)