In celebration of what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s centenary, the National Portrait Gallery has unveiled a compelling exhibition that invites viewers to delve into the life of one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic figures. However, while the display showcases an array of striking images and narratives, it ultimately leaves us grappling with the complexities of her identity rather than providing clear answers.
A Journey Through the Lens
The exhibition, titled *Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait*, takes a chronological approach to Monroe’s life, presenting a detailed visual narrative that spans her early modelling days to her Hollywood stardom. Among the evocative photographs is an early shot by André de Dienes, capturing a youthful Monroe, hair cascading in curls, climbing a cliff in Death Valley. The caption reads, “Marilyn Monroe, Death Valley,” yet it feels more like an ominous foreshadowing than a simple description. This striking imagery serves as a reminder of Monroe’s perennial struggle against the very forces that sought to define her.
Monroe’s life was a series of reinventions, each more dramatic than the last. Born Norma Jeane Mortensen, she morphed into Norma Jeane Baker and finally, Marilyn Monroe—the name that would become synonymous with both beauty and tragedy. The exhibition aims to reclaim her narrative, portraying her as an architect of her own life rather than merely a passive subject shaped by the whims of others. This ambition is commendable, but can it truly unravel the myths that have clouded her legacy?
The Weight of Representation
The exhibition notably sidesteps many of the male figures who dominated Monroe’s life, from her husbands to the studio executives who commodified her image. It refrains from delving into her tumultuous relationships or the conspiracies surrounding her untimely death. Instead, it dedicates a room to her posthumous influence on artists like Andy Warhol and Pauline Boty, showcasing how Monroe’s image has been appropriated in various artistic contexts.
Yet, the absence of these significant male relationships raises questions about the narrative being constructed. By omitting key figures, the exhibition risks oversimplifying Monroe’s story, portraying her instead as a lone figure battling the world, rather than a woman shaped by the complex interplay of her relationships and societal expectations.
The emotional depth of Monroe’s life is illuminated through her interactions with various photographers. Images captured by Cecil Beaton and Eve Arnold reflect a woman caught between her public persona and private struggles. Arnold’s candid shots reveal a vulnerable side of Monroe, her eyes glazed and weary from the weight of fame and addiction. These photographs expose the duality of her existence, yet the exhibition’s framing often feels like a performance, underscoring the constructed nature of her public image.
The Quest for Authenticity
The exhibition posits that Monroe sought to curate her own image, demanding honesty in a world steeped in artifice. However, this notion is complicated by the sheer abundance of photographs that depict Monroe performing, often in character. The images that have become iconic are recontextualised through the curator’s captions, suggesting that even in her most candid moments, Monroe was acutely aware of the camera’s gaze.
As visitors peruse the exhibition, it’s evident that Monroe’s life is a tapestry of narratives—each thread woven from varying interpretations of her persona. The desire for a singular truth about Monroe is perhaps futile; instead, the exhibition suggests that the stories we construct around her reflect our own desires and projections.
Myth or Reality?
In a rather ironic twist, *Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait* implies that true understanding of the actress may elude us entirely. The photographs on display serve as powerful myth-makers, each image contributing to the legend of Monroe rather than clarifying her reality. The narratives that have arisen around her—from the tragic beauty to the feminist icon—are as much a reflection of societal values as they are of Monroe herself.
The exhibition runs until 6 September, offering a visual feast that is both captivating and frustrating. It challenges us to reconsider not just Monroe’s life, but the very nature of celebrity and the narratives we construct around iconic figures.
Why it Matters
The National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition is more than a celebration of Marilyn Monroe; it is a commentary on the complexities of female identity in a patriarchal world. By examining the layers of myth and reality surrounding Monroe, we are compelled to reflect on our own perceptions of women in the public eye. In an era where the allure of fame continues to shape lives, Monroe’s story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that behind every image lies a deeper, often untold narrative.
