The image shows a woman with the unmistakable features of Hollywood’s most famous blonde. Ela walks across the sand of Santa Monica in July 1962. The wind ruffles his hair. The body is wrapped in a green towel or a comfortable sweater. In the final photo of the session, she sits on the sand, hands clasped, and blows a tender kiss to the camera.
Essas images, taken by photographer George Barris, were the last portraits of Marilyn Monroe in life. Poucas weeks later, in the early hours of August 5, she was found dead in her home in Los Angeles, aged 36. Agora, in the year that marks the 100th anniversary of his birth, the photos are once again circulating in exhibitions and special publications.
Sessão on the beach shows the actress’s carefree side
George Barris and Marilyn Monroe met in 1954, while filmingThe Seven Year Itch. Anos later, they talked about the idea of a book about her life. The 1962 session took place in an atmosphere of complicity.
The actress looked at ease in the seaside setting. Corria, played with the waves and demonstrated spontaneity. The exhibition curatorsMarilyn Monroe: THE Portrait, which opens in June at National Portrait Gallery by Londres, highlight this naturalness. Caroline Barris, the photographer’s daughter, sent several extra takes from the day. Nelas, the actress appears dancing with the sea.
The California coast also brought back memories for Marilyn Monroe. Havia a rare photo of her as a child, barefoot in the sand next to her mother. Outra 1940s shoot featured a young aspiring star. The images of the beach from 1962 complete an exciting visual cycle.
Contexto from 1962 mixes success and personal difficulties
Marilyn Monroe’s career had already marked the peak of Hollywood’s golden era. Filmes howGentlemen Prefer Blondes e Some Like It Hotconsolidated her as an icon. Sua’s screen presence went beyond beauty. Ela carried a mix of glamor and vulnerability that fascinated the public.
In 1962, however, personal and professional life faced turbulence. Her third marriage, to playwright Arthur Miller, had ended. Após gallbladder surgery, his body had changed. The reputation of being “difficult” on the sets followed her, often linked to health problems, chronic insomnia and the use of prescription medications.
In June of that year, 20th Century Fox fired her from the filmSomething’s Got to Givefor repeated absences. The actress responded with her own public relations campaign. Deu stylish interviews for magazines likeVogue e Life. The session with George Barris, initially designed for theCosmopolitan, was part of this strategy.
- Santa Monica’s session included outdoor and indoor photos
- Barris sought to capture the playful essence of the actress, far from sexy poses
- The images were published after the death in British outlets such asDaily Mirror e Town
- Artistas pop like Pauline Boty and Richard Hamilton were inspired by them soon after
Exposição on Londres highlights collaboration with photographers
SampleMarilyn Monroe: THE Portraitorganizes the chronological trajectory of the actress’ image. Inclui works by Eve Arnold, Cecil Beaton, Andy Warhol and six photos from Santa Monica’s session. Curators Rosie Broadley and Georgia Atienza analyzed Marilyn’s partnerships with different photographers.
Broadley explains that the actress used these professionals strategically. Over time, she shaped her own image until she became the big star she wanted. Algumas collaborations lasted years. Outras were unique but remarkable sessions.
Barris’s photos stand out for their lightness. Não emphasize sensuality. Mostram a playful woman, in tune with her surroundings. Após the death of Marilyn, Barris moved to Paris for two decades. Anos later published the portraits in books, including with Gloria Steinem.
Legado from Images Stays Alive at Centennial
The photographs have aged with warm, yellowish tones that add even more warmth to the scenes. Quem looks today and notices a dreamy woman, close to the viewer. Barris has always maintained that the marks made by Marilyn in the tests did not mean rejection. Ela reportedly said those were some of the best and most natural images of her ever taken. “That’s me, freckles and all. The real me.”
The exhibition is on display at National Portrait Gallery of Londres from June 4th to September 6th. Eventos in various parts of the world celebrate the centenary of his birth, on June 1, 1926. The latest photos of George Barris remain one of the most touching records of this trajectory. Elas capture joy and lightness just before the sudden end.
