Nina Leen, one of the first female photographers to work for Life, took pictures for the magazine from 1940 to 1972. In the mid-1940s, her essay, “City Dogs,” featured actors and artists with their pets on the streets of New York City. In late-March, Daniel Cooney Fine Art in New York City, is opening a solo exhibition of Leen’s work that features images from that essay and others. Pictured: Metropolitan Opera tenor Lauritz Melchior and his wife pose for a portrait with their Great Dane.

Leen photographed European royalty, Paris fashion and American teens for Life, but her first picture for the magazine was taken at the Bronx Zoo and she returned to photographing animals throughout her career. Pictured: Actress Joan Roberts, in costume for the musical "Oklahoma," laughs as her English bulldog, Goggles, lifts his leg on a streetlight.

Actress Ruth Gordon walks her black poodle while wearing a mink coat.

Artist Earle Winslow struggles to control his Irish setter, which wants to head for the curb.

Actor John Boles coaxes his Schnauzer puppy to leap over a concrete curb on the street.

Actress Margaret Webster pauses while her two cairn terriers show great interest in a cat perched in the window of building.

Author Fannie Hurst enjoys the antics of her Yorkshire terrier, Orphan Annie.

Music conductor Andre Kostelanetz and his sheep dog, Puff, get attention from a young admirer.

Comedian Jimmy Durante walks his Irish setter in Times Square.

The "Nina Leen: Lenslady" exhibit runs at <a href="http://www.danielcooneyfineart.com/" target="external">Daniel Cooney Fine Art</a> in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City, from March 26 to May 16, 2015. Pictured: Conductor Artur Rodzinski looks on as his poodle jumps into his wife's arms on 57th Street and 5th Avenue.