Artsy Editorial highlights nine defining portraits of Marilyn Monroe, coinciding with the centennial of her birth. The article notes that while Monroe was a master of self-image in photography, fine artists were drawn to her during her lifetime, but her early death cemented her as a cultural icon. These portraits are currently on display at London's National Portrait Gallery in the exhibition "Marilyn: A Portrait," running through September 6th.
This article matters because it connects Monroe's enduring cultural legacy to the visual art world, showing how her image has been reinterpreted by fine artists beyond her Hollywood persona. The exhibition at a major national institution underscores Monroe's status as a subject of serious artistic inquiry, bridging popular culture and art history during her centennial year.