The National Portrait Gallery in London has unveiled its much-anticipated exhibition, *Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait*, to commemorate what would have been the iconic star’s 100th birthday. While the collection offers a visually stunning homage to one of the most photographed women in history, it ultimately raises more questions about her true self than it provides answers.
Unpacking the Myth
The exhibition opens with a striking photograph of a youthful Marilyn Monroe, captured by André de Dienes in Death Valley. This image serves as a metaphor for the complexities of her life: a woman scaling the rocky cliffs of fame while teetering on the brink of personal catastrophe. Although the gallery aims to portray Monroe as the architect of her own narrative, it often falls back into the traps of sensationalism and oversimplification that have long plagued her legacy.
For decades, Monroe’s life has been subject to scrutiny and interpretation, shaped by a myriad of voices—scholars, tabloid journalists, and even Monroe herself. This exhibition attempts to reclaim her narrative, suggesting that the stories we tell about her are often more compelling than the truth. Yet, in doing so, it risks reinforcing the very myths it seeks to dismantle.
A Curation of Contradictions
The selection of images spans Monroe’s early modelling days through her tumultuous Hollywood career. Notably absent are significant figures from her life, such as her second husband Joe DiMaggio and the much-speculated affair with John F. Kennedy. Instead, the focus is on the artistic legacy she left behind, with a room dedicated to works inspired by her, from Andy Warhol’s pop art to haunting tributes by artists like Pauline Boty.
While the exhibition provides a rich tapestry of Monroe’s connections with various photographers, it often skirts around the darker aspects of her life. For instance, photographs of her taken during the making of *The Misfits* reveal a woman grappling with addiction and despair. The images, captured by Eve Arnold, reflect a raw vulnerability that is rarely addressed in the more polished portrayals of her.
The Illusion of Truth
The notion of “honesty” in Monroe’s images is heavily contested. While some photographs are celebrated for their authenticity, the reality is that Monroe was always performing—curating her image to fit the expectations of an industry that sought to commodify her. The exhibition highlights her meticulous selection of photographs, demonstrating her desire for an honest representation, yet this quest seems inherently contradictory given her history of self-editing.
In a particularly telling moment, a caption reveals that De Dienes asked Monroe to embody a range of emotions during their photoshoots, including “death.” Such direction underscores the performative nature of her existence, suggesting that the quest for authenticity in her imagery may be a futile endeavour. The photographs become less a window into her soul and more a reflection of the societal narratives constructed around her.
Beyond the Surface
Ultimately, *Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait* serves as a reminder that the images we hold dear are often steeped in myth-making. The exhibition invites viewers to reconsider their perceptions of Monroe, challenging them to look beyond the surface glamour to the complexities of a life that remains tantalisingly elusive.
Why it Matters
As we reflect on the life and legacy of Marilyn Monroe, this exhibition compels us to confront the broader implications of how we memorialise public figures, particularly women. It highlights the ongoing struggle to define identity against a backdrop of societal expectations and media portrayal. Monroe’s story is not just a cautionary tale of fame but a poignant reminder of the complexities that lie beneath the surface of celebrity, urging us to seek deeper truths in a world that often prefers the simplicity of myth over the messiness of reality.
