Frozen Foods with String Beans, New York (1977/1993) is a piece closely linked to Irving Penn’s long career as a photographer for the prestigious Vogue magazine. The image was originally created for the July issue in 1977, as part of an article on cold soups made with frozen vegetables. In this work, Penn presents the vegetables and beans frozen in blocks, like little, colourful artworks in a playful exploration of balance and form. If you look closely, you might notice some of the blocks beginning to thaw, reminding us that the entire composition could collapse at any moment.

Still life is a recurring theme in Penn’s work. Unlike the grand, detailed Dutch still lifes of the 17th century – you know, those paintings bursting with fresh fruit – Penn mixes luxurious and everyday food items in striking compositions. His subjects often seem on the verge of falling apart, offering a small reminder that we all have an expiry date. This is a classic element of still life art, known as memento mori, which is Latin for "remember that you will die." It's good to keep that in mind, but don't worry – you don't have to think about it all the time.