LEE MILLER: DEFIANCE AND RESILIENCE THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY


By bblouin
Lee Miller in her uniform.

Elizabeth "Lee" Miller was many things in her lifetime but being willing to compromise was never one of them. Defying the abuse of her childhood, social norms at the time, and even orders on the battlefield, Lee Miller created iconic work throughout her innovative, multi-faceted career. Taking an honest approach to reporting on World War II developments, the work of Lee Miller (the photographer and journalist) changed the way the United States viewed the conflict occuring in Europe. Suggested read: Faith and Forgiveness: The Rest of Louis Zamperini’s Story

Who Was Lee Miller?

Lee Miller was an American journalist and photographer who changed how people viewed WWII European campaigns. While her work initially focused on the fashion of Europeans, she would transition to the everyday lives of people living amidst the chaos along with up close and personal accounts of the battlefield. A fashion model in New York City, Miller later became a fashion and fine art photographer in Paris. As one of the few female war correspondents for the U.S. or any country, Miller received her first assignment on the European continent in 1944. Lee Miller's photos during wartime coverage for Vogue included the London Blitz, the aftermath of D-Day, Paris being liberated, the Battle of Saint-Malo, and the horrors of concentration camps like Buchenwald and Dachau. Related read: WW2 Women’s Fashion: How the War Changed the Industry

Childhood Trauma Leads to a Modeling, Photography Career

Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, Lee Miller faced a series of unfortunate events. Because her mother fell ill, she was sent to live with family friends in Brooklyn at the age of seven. It was during this time, Miller was raped by their son, resulting in trauma and an STD that both required extensive treatment. She sought psychiatric help, but Miller kept the assault a secret. Her counselor attempted to remove guilt and pain from the act of sex using questionable methods. At the same time, she began learning about photography. Sadly, Miller's introductory knowledge of photography practices and fashion originated from her father who used her as a nude model. This would later raise concerns that had an impact on her career as a muse. This isn't the only unusual part of her long fashion career. Miller's fashion origin happened under very unusual circumstances. After narrowly avoiding a traffic accident at the age of 19, she now in the world of fame. Within months, she was on the covers of British and American Vogue. Now, her life was completely changing while mingling with icons like Josephine Baker, Fred Astaire, and Charlie Chaplin. As Vogue's top model, Miller began living in luxury, posing in furs and sailing on yachts.

Lee Miller Photography in World War II

Her journey to Normandy in 1944 marked the beginning of her groundbreaking wartime photography. Lee Miller's photos would document U.S. Army nurses; however, she defied orders to capture the harsh reality of the 44th Evacuation Hospital. This decision wouldn’t cost Miller but instead lead to her producing a moving piece titled "Unarmed Warriors." It was well received by the public for its daring honesty. Despite being unaccredited for combat reporting, Miller was both covering the fierce battle for Saint-Malo and witnessing its liberation. Lee Miller's images brought a unique perspective to war reporting, marking a significant shift. Shortly after, her photographs made headlines, and she earned the admiration from troops for her reporting style. Defying what was possible was of the most importance for Miller. This broke her out of stereotypical reporting norms, combining fashion coverage and storytelling. In the aftermath of the war, Miller's lens documented the grim realities of post-war Europe, from the horrors of concentration camps to the struggle for recovery and more. However, it’s arguable that of all of the Lee Miller photos, nothing is more iconic than her bathtub photograph in Hitler's Munich apartment the very same day he took his life.

How Did Lee Miller Die?

Lee Miller passed away in 1977; however, her legacy lives on in fashion, art, and journalism. Miller's pioneering work continues to inspire fashion designers from Gucci and Alexander McQueen. Today, Farley Farm House visitors can explore photographs, journals, and personal artifacts of Miller's. They can get a first-hand glimpse into her remarkable life and artistic vision. Read next: US-Chinese Military Aircraft and Sea Peace Talks Resume After 2-Year Break


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