With honey brown hair and at the naïve age of 19, the images taken that day pinpoint the birth of a superstar. From that day on, Marilyn Monroe would grow as a star and dominate not only Hollywood and the world, but the photographic world also. She changed her childhood name – Norma Jeane- and created Marilyn Monroe but little did she know that this name would become one of the most famous names to exist. Take for example, your everyday teenager placed on a chair with 4 portraits in front of them. These portraits are all of people with fame and power to their name and of course, appear in the Google search of ‘famous photography portraits’: Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Blondie and Marilyn. The only portrait the person knew was Marilyn. This is because her portrait is everywhere. It is more than an image nowadays; it has become an art form. In my bedroom I have at least 5 canvasses with Marilyn’s portrait on. Walking into my room is like walking into an art exhibition displaying the beauty of Marilyn Monroe’s portraits. You can walk
into your local DIY centre and there before you is wallpaper with Marilyn’s image, ready to be hung around the home. For my 18th birthday, my sister made me cupcakes with printed icing paper with Marilyn’s face on. As well as being able to look at Marilyn’s portrait, I could now even eat it! Whether it is her beauty alone that makes her photographic portraits so popular or whether claiming to have at least one thing in your house with Marilyn’s face on is the ‘cool’ and contemporary thing to own, it still justifies the dominance of her portraits.
teeth sum up the famous image. Taken from the film ‘Seven Year Itch’ it is not only a naturally beautiful image but the magic of the moment is created by the fun she is having, presenting a carefree feeling and a feminine charm. I cannot speak for every girl, but the emotion in her face inspires me in more ways than one. The dress blowing up could have been a very embarrassing moment, although she makes it magical, teaching women and girls worldwide a valuable lesson: this lesson being to always make the best out of any situation and to keep It is obvious Marilyn smiling. So I hang this created magic with the image on my wall next to camera, by the huge the many other portraits, amount of photographers all equally as striking. that wanted to capture her. The outfits and the My first memory of location are different on seeing Marilyn Monroe each photo shoot, but was at a relative’s house one thing remains- her amongst other Hollywood beautiful charm. It is legends such as James a charm so iridescent Dean and John Wayne. I it pierces through the remember the 2 images canvas, paper or screen. A of Marilyn painted onto personal favourite of mine the ‘Gentlemen Prefer is possibly one of the most Blondes’ special edition famous portraits of the ceramic plate. This plate star. The bright white dress now stands in my room, blowing over the drain, like the crown jewels sit the gleam from her eyes as in The Tower of London, striking as the brightness precious and unique. of her perfect Hollywood This portrait epitomises
the glow of Marilyn, with her alluring eyes and luscious red lips, she creates a healthy image of happiness and health. The still shots of this film, are said to be the inspiration for contemporary celebrity artists such as Madonna , who based her ‘Material Girls’ video around the legendary Hollywood film which Marilyn shines in. Other celebrities mimic Marilyn Monroe’s image, as they acknowledge it is a powerful one and they understand her portraits are a worldwide spectacle. Scarlett Johansson, Christina Aguilera and Paris Hilton are all beautiful blonde women who appear as Marilyn in certain ad campaigns such as Gucci. They can all be defined in beauty terms as to being a blonde bombshell, but Marilyn Monroe is the blonde bombshell. We all know Marilyn for her blonde hair, if somebody said to me “Marilyn had black hair didn’t she?” I think I would have to assume they were from another planet that is the only justified reason for somebody not knowing Marilyn Monroe’s portrait image! It is a crime!
The Untold Magazine 55