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The Many Shades of Marilyn Monroe Explored in a New Book


One of the most controversial and intriguing figures in the history of cinema is Marilyn Monroe. Despite her talent and beauty, she was often hounded by the media regarding her personal life, and many have reduced her to simply a sex symbol. Even after her passing, Monroe remains misunderstood, with her entire existence often being confined by the perceptions of those who admire her. And now, a new photo book offers us an intimate glimpse into her journey, which one has often seen in the tabloids.

All images in the article are screenshots.

Titled Marilyn Monroe by Eve Arnold, this iconic photo book is back for a reprinted edit and features a new introduction by Arnold’s grandson, Michael. For the uninitiated, Arnold was the first woman photographer to work with Magnum Photos in 1951 and became a full-time member in 1957. During her career, Arnold captured civil rights and Black power movements, Arabian women in harems and hammams, fashion, and everyday life. She arguably helped pave the way for so many other women in the photojournalism world.

The year was 1950 when Monroe rose to stardom with films such as All About Eve and The Asphalt Jungle. Monroe was captivated by Arnold’s story on Marlene Dietrich, which was featured in the 1952 edition of Esquire. She was in awe of Arnold’s talents, particularly her remarkable portraits. And then, at a party, Monroe approached Arnold, stating: “If you could do that well with Marlene, can you imagine what you can do with me?” This famous line led to a memorable collaboration between Monroe and Arnold until Monroe’s tragic demise in 1962.

However, Arnold did not reveal all of the images after they were shot over six different shots. Instead, she released them as a monograph to mark the 25th anniversary of Monroe’s death. The book offers a rare insight into Hollywood’s most memorable star, and the reprinted edition celebrates their unforgettable collaboration all over again. The book is a great reminder of Arnold’s ability to capture complex human emotion while portraying the dazzling beauty of such a gorgeous woman in the world.

In an interview with Huck Magazine, Michael reveals how Arnold’s ability to be present and not judge the people she photographs has made Monroe feel safe and understood. “You knew that you could trust her with what was real for you,” he said. In the images, one sees the vulnerability Arnold captured, which proves her talent of being able to see one’s persona beyond the public veil. In fact, Arnold herself once stated that Monroe had “a natural ability to use both photographer and still camera,” which sets her apart from the rest.

In addition, the reprint of the book also includes their collaboration from Monroe reading Ulysses by James Joyce in 1952, heron the set of The Misfits in 1960, and the intimate moments shared between the photographer and her subjects in their final photo shoots. In fact, her last assignment saw Arnold staying back on the set for two weeks, as Monroe was going through some challenging period in her life.

Thus, the reprint of Marilyn Monroe by Eve Arnold seems to be an exceptional book that examines a woman who was a cultural figure in Hollywood. With this publication, you not only peel back the layers of who Monroe was but also gradually gauge what it takes to photograph some of the biggest icons of the world. In the end, Arnold humanized Monroe in ways no media ever could. That further proves why women and their perspectives matter more so in everything.

To order Marilyn Monroe by Eve Arnold, head to Acc Art Book’s website or Amazon.



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