The National Portrait Gallery in London has opened a new blockbuster exhibition, "Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait," marking what would have been the star's 100th birthday. The show presents Monroe through photographs, paintings, and film excerpts, tracing her transformation from Norma Jeane Baker into a global icon. It features works by renowned photographers such as Richard Avedon, Milton Greene, Cecil Beaton, Eve Arnold, Philippe Halsman, Weegee, and André de Dienes, as well as paintings by Pauline Boty and Andy Warhol. The exhibition emphasizes Monroe's agency and control over her own image, challenging the notion of uncovering a "real Marilyn" behind the glamour.
The exhibition matters because it reframes Monroe not merely as a subject of celebrity portraiture but as an active creator of her own persona, offering a nuanced look at her enduring cultural impact. It also highlights the evolution of photographic techniques and the role of photography in shaping mid-20th-century American identity. However, the review notes that the show becomes repetitive and lacks deeper exploration of Monroe's vulnerabilities, suggesting that while it celebrates her radiance, it stops short of revealing the full complexity of her life and legacy.