BETWEEN TEARS OF JOY AND TEARS OF SORROW, MEMORY TRIUMPHS, ALWAYS: BEETHOVEN’S PAST KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AS ANTONY PENROSE STANDS AT THE CROSSROADS OF THE LEE MILLER ARCHIVE’S LEGACY
Project by Niccolò Lapo Latini
ANTONY PENROSE, Chiddingly, 5th April 2025 // Through the corridors of the Lee Miller Archive, in the county of East Sussex, southern England, at Farleys House and Gallery—the fabled home where Lee Miller lived alongside her husband, the painter and art historian Roland Penrose—today transformed into a museum that houses her legendary photographic and documentary archive // Reflecting on the global release of the blockbuster Lee Miller, starring Kate Winslet and directed by Ellen Kuras in her directorial debut, savoring the behind-the-scenes glimpses and the memories of a family heritage that bridge the old world and the new one that silently awaits.
In the darkness dwells the past. There is the sweet, charitable past, which cradles you; the anguished, restless past, which prevents you from sleeping; the sly, nagging past, which jolts you awake in the dead of night. Those who have enough courage to face it, to come to terms with it, embody the true essence of Christ within us. They are those who use time to resolve the old, making way for the new that marches forward unyielding. Those who reject it, procrastinate, or meet it on the street, changing sidewalks around the corner to avoid being recognized, are Peter. We are afraid, we renounce what has been with full awareness, but every night it returns to knock on our door when we blow out the candle. Its presence is quiet but persistent, carving like a drop of water on stone, because it knows that sooner or later, we will take its path— the path of righteousness and light. The last is without hope, for in the darkness of the night, he is swallowed up, lost because he has forgotten what he should have remembered. The past marks him in the dead of night with a thunderclap, and the night of our Judas will be eternal.
Movie Official Images (Courtesy Sky UK, StudioCanal UK)
Your family name is synonymous with talent, skill, audacity, and tradition. In today’s world—where human memory seems to be growing shorter and fewer people truly remember the past, while many simply choose to ignore it—what significance do the words heritage and legacy hold for you?
That’s a very good question. We have definitely noticed how short people’s memory and attention span have become, and I believe that’s quite dangerous. There’s a quote by the poet George Santayana: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” I feel this responsibility very deeply, especially working alongside my daughter, who now runs our archive. We see ourselves as guardians of the past. It’s essential to make history visible and accessible, so that people can inform their choices today and avoid repeating ancient mistakes. Beyond the artistic value of our collection, its historical significance is something we hold incredibly dear.
History is a witness, and it’s crucial to keep that witness alive. Speaking of photography, Lee Miller was a pioneer in fashion photography at first, but when the war came, she used her camera to capture raw, unfiltered reality— beyond artifice and fiction. Years later, figures like Franca Sozzani at Vogue Italia attempted to do something similar in the early 2000s through her editorial vision and boldness. Do you believe that today, in photography—as well as in art and culture—the cover has become more important than the book itself?
I believe they are two different things, each with its own eloquence. Photography will always retain its power because it transcends language barriers—it requires no translation. It can be understood everywhere, particularly documentary photography. The real challenge today, as you rightly pointed out, lies in distinguishing between artifice and truth. We have become so accustomed to manipulated images—especially through social media—that we often accept them as reality. That’s dangerous because it undermines our ability to recognize what is genuine and what is constructed. We urgently need to find our way back to truth in imagery.
Movie Official Images (Courtesy Sky UK, StudioCanal UK)
On the topic of war—today, major conflicts are no longer fought solely on the ground with weapons, but also ideologically, technologically, theologically, and even meteorologically. Where do you think Lee Miller would go today to take her photographs? Who would be the protagonists, the subjects of her lens?
She would be in Gaza. She would be photographing the children, the hospital patients—those devastated by the bombings. She would be documenting the refusal to send aid to people who are starving and have lost everything. She would also be in Ukraine, not necessarily on the front lines, but capturing images of those struggling to survive, holding onto a semblance of normal life amidst the constant threat of drone strikes. Wherever injustice cried out, that’s where she would be.
You have dedicated much of your life to exploring, rebuilding, and preserving your parents’ legacy. Looking back, are you proud of your work and remarkable contribution? As many wise writers have said, even devoting an entire lifetime to understanding our origins and the bonds with our parents would never be a wasted life. Do you agree with this powerful statement?
It has been an incredibly rewarding journey on many levels. On one hand, I’ve been deeply engaged with history and the arts, working with some of the finest museums around the world, creating films and television projects— things I never imagined I would be involved in. It has opened up extraordinary opportunities, and I have enjoyed almost all of them. On a more personal level, this journey allowed me to truly understand and appreciate my mother. She was a difficult, distant figure, and I don’t think I would have ever truly known her had I not spent these years studying her life and work. One of the first lessons I learned is that you can endure almost anything if you understand why. As a child, I only saw what—that she drank heavily, that she was intense and emotionally detached. But as I began to uncover the why, it completely transformed my perspective. Over time, I was able to forgive her. And eventually, I found my love for her. That was an extraordinary reversal because, in my youth, we often clashed fiercely.
Thank you for your openness. I’m 26, and this conversation resonates with me deeply. Right now, I’m working on understanding my own relationship with my parents and my family’s heritage, so hearing this is truly meaningful. Now, thinking back to your childhood, could you tell me about the times you visited Pablo Picasso’s house? What do you remember about those afternoons in his company?
It was an incredible experience. I had known Picasso since I was about three and a half, but by the age of fourteen, I was old enough to perceive things more clearly and understand their significance. What struck me most was how warm and welcoming his home felt—not just in terms of physical comfort, but in its spirit and personality. It was a place of absolute freedom, vibrant with life. As a child, I was fortunate because I was allowed to explore freely. I could pick up sculptures, examine things closely—liberties that adults were often not permitted. Picasso would get annoyed if an adult touched anything, but as a child, I could get away with it. I didn’t realize at the time just how lucky I was. His house was also full of animals—he had a pet goat, and wild pigeons that lived in nesting boxes he had built for them; they would fly all around the house. They made quite a mess, but he didn’t mind. He loved their presence. I never got the chance to meet his pet monkey, though—and I must admit, I was quite disappointed about that!
Movie Official Images (Courtesy Sky UK, StudioCanal UK)
I recently had the opportunity to meet Xavier Picasso in Mantua, shortly after the French National Archives authorized a selection of his most prestigious works to be exhibited in Italy for a series of shows curated by Annie Cohen-Solal. Patti Smith was also present, paying tribute to Picasso with a poem and a private concert at Palazzo Te. It was an extraordinary experience—an unforgettable artistic and narrative fil rouge, a meaningful passing of the torch and tribute. Regarding the recent release of the film Lee Miller, starring Kate Winslet— could you tell me how this collaboration came about and took shape?
I have seen the film several times and was deeply involved in its creation. I am absolutely thrilled with the result. Kate Winslet has been a long-time scholar and passionate admirer of Lee Miller. She had read my book and was familiar with the story. When she learned that the film rights were available, she moved quickly to secure them. I was overjoyed, because over twenty years ago, while watching the film Enigma, I thought to myself: If anyone ever portrays Lee Miller, it should be Kate Winslet. She is incredibly intelligent, diligent, and meticulous. She spent a great deal of time at our archive, reading almost everything Lee ever wrote, studying her photographs, and even requesting access to her personal letters. She completely immersed herself in the role. Every detail—from costumes to dialogue—was carefully and thoroughly researched. She was determined to get everything just right, and I am deeply grateful for her passion and commitment.
Let’s do a quick exercise together—could you describe the following artists from your family and the Lee Miller Archive by associating an adjective or a few words with each?
- Lee Miller — Surrealist
- Theodore Miller — Progressive
- David Sherman — Loyal
- Roland Penrose — A rock with wings
- Antony Penrose — Lover of photography
Movie Official Images (Courtesy Sky UK, StudioCanal UK)
Finally, do you believe that dark times bring generations closer together? And do you think your family’s trajectory would have been different without World War II?
Absolutely. That war shaped my family in profound and lasting ways. The real challenge for humanity is to continue progressing without needing destruction and suffering to bring us together. That is why it is essential that we learn from history—so that we are not condemned to repeat the same mistakes.