Robin Muir recalls Marilyn Monroe’s photo session with Bert Stern two months before her death

The final studio portraits of Marilyn Monroe appear again amid preparations for a major exhibition at Londres. National Portrait Gallery organizes the exhibition Marilyn Monroe: Um Retrato, which celebrates the actress’s centenary. Robin Muir, photography specialist, recalls the session carried out by photographer Bert Stern for Vogue.

The session took place on June 21, 1962, on Hotel Bel-Air, in Los Angeles. Frank Sinatra played on the record player while champagne and trays of food filled the space. Bert Stern and the Vogue team set up an improvised set in the suite. Ninguém imagined that those would be the actress’s last studio images.

Marilyn Monroe had been fired weeks before the film Something’s Got to Give, from the 20th Century Fox. Processos legal matters involved the studio, the actor Dean Martin and other professionals. The actress seemed ready to resume work. The photo session served as an opportunity to restore his public image.

Fashion editor Babs Simpson and hairdresser Sr. Kenneth participated in the production. Marilyn Monroe arrived looking disheveled, wearing a bandana. Ela chose pieces like a black Dior dress. The shoot included fashion images and also more intimate shots, with the actress barely dressed.

Bert Stern described the process as fluid. Ele said they barely talked. Percebia understood her intentions and fired the flashes quickly. The photographer captured more than 2,500 images over three days. Vogue published only ten of them in the September 1962 issue.

The session was named The Last Sitting. Seis Weeks later, on August 5, 1962, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her home. The actress was 36 years old. The photos became one of the most emblematic records of his career.

Sessão improvised on Hotel Bel-Air

Production took place at an accelerated pace. The team waited on the first day because Monroe didn’t show up. The next day, she arrived and work began. Simpson guided the outfit choices. Stern adjusted the light and framing.

The atmosphere mixed relaxation and professionalism. Garrafas with champagne opened, music and food spread throughout the room. The actress moved between classic fashion poses and more personal expressions. Stern valued her natural relationship with the camera.

• The session lasted three days on Hotel Bel-Air
• Foram produced approximately 2,700 photographs
• Vogue selected ten images to publish
• Incluiu fashion shoot and almost nude recordings
• Participaram Babs Simpson and the hairdresser Sr. Kenneth

Esses details reveal the atmosphere of the production. The actress demonstrated control over her image even in times of professional instability.

Hollywood’s turbulent Contexto in 1962

Marilyn Monroe was facing contractual problems with the 20th Century Fox. The film’s dismissal sparked a series of lawsuits. Dean Martin refused to continue without her and was also sued. Outros professionals abandoned the project.

The actress managed to resolve part of the pending issues and signaled her return to the sets. The session for Vogue served as a bridge for this rapprochement with the public. The photos sought to show a mature and confident Marilyn Monroe.

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Bert Stern was already a renowned photographer. Ele got the job after insisting. Vogue invested in the test to refresh the star’s image. The result exceeded expectations in terms of quality and intimacy.

Relação special Monroe with camera

The images capture nuances of her personality. In some, Monroe appears dressed elegantly. In others, it reveals vulnerability and sensuality without excessive artifice. Stern allowed her to guide the process.

Especialistas highlight the collaboration between photographer and model. Monroe had clear ideas about how she wanted to be seen. The photographer translated these intentions into quick frames. The result was a series that mixes glamor and humanity.

Esses portraits have influenced generations of photographers. Eles show the actress at the height of her ability to create an icon, even in a complicated phase of her life.

Exposição celebrates the actress’s centenary

National Portrait Gallery opens Marilyn Monroe: Um Retrato on June 4, 2026. The exhibition brings together works by various photographers and artists. The goal is to explore the life, career and legacy of Monroe.

The curation includes iconic images as well as lesser-known records. Bert Stern’s session gains relevance as one of the actress’s last professional testimonies. Visitantes will be able to see up close the material that marked the end of an era in Hollywood.

The exhibition runs until September 6th. Ingressos are now available on the gallery’s official website. The initiative marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Marilyn Monroe, celebrated on June 1, 1926.

Legado from The Last Sitting images

The photographs continue to be studied and exhibited. Livros and documentaries revisit the material. Bert Stern published a volume dedicated to the series in 1982. The collection reveals details about the creative process.

Hoje, the images symbolize the lasting fascination with the actress. Elas capture a unique moment: the transition between living stardom and the myth that was consolidated after his death. The 1962 session remains a reference in the world of celebrity photography.