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Book tip: Marilyn Monroe 100
Book tip: Marilyn Monroe 100
June 1, 2026
Elliott Erwitt: Marilyn Monroe, New York, 1954. © Elliott Erwitt LLC
She only made it to age 36. Marilyn Monroe’s life was scrutinised by the eyes of the general public, like no other celebrity’s, with media cameras shining a light on every last detail. From the time that she first appeared in front of the camera in the late 1940s, as a model and aspiring actress, Marilyn underwent a transformation and gained a level of worldwide fame unrivalled to this day.
The 1st of June marks the anniversary of her birth for the 100th time, and it will be accompanied by countless books, exhibitions and documentaries. The interest in the MM phenomenon seems unbroken, and continues to be fuelled by ever-new aspects. Even her jewellery and clothes thrive on the aura of their former host: for example, when Kim Kardashian showed off what is arguably “the most famous dress in the world” for a few minutes at the 2022 Met Gala, the story spread like wildfire across all media channels. It was the figure-hugging dress that Marilyn Monroe wore on May 19, 1962, when she congratulated President John F. Kennedy on his birthday – just a few months before her death. The surviving film footage of that appearance – in black and white and out of focus – made this event iconic, and turned the dress into a collector’s item, auctioned off for millions.
In order to understand why Marilyn Monroe still commands such a strong media presence to this day, it is worth taking a look at this latest photo book. Before the photographic section breaks down Monroe’s career and the various ways in which she has been portrayed, three introductory essays shed light on fundamental questions regarding the relationship between image, the public sphere and its impact. This is followed by seventeen portfolios, by sixteen male photographers and just one woman – which is another aspect of media and reception history that cannot be overlooked.
The visual journey begins with the early series by André de Dienes and Joseph Jasgur, and continues with subsequent ones by Bruno Bernard and John Florea. They demonstrate the refinement of an image, and transform the ambitious young talent into an iconic figure – bleached, sexualised and omnipresent. Then comes Eve Arnold, presented as a photojournalist who, in her portraits, deliberately explores the fine line between the media phenomenon and the vulnerable private individual. Portraits, celebrity motifs and staged images by Philippe Halsman, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Elliott Erwitt, Milton Greene, Sam Shaw, George Barris, Cecil Beaton, Richard Avedon, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Bruce Davidson, Bert Stern and Allan Grant come next. By itself, this list highlights a “who’s who” of the 20th century’s most celebrated photographers. Their images accompanied, sustained and scrutinised Monroe’s career.
In addition to bringing together a selection of iconic images, this gold-bordered anniversary volume offers a panoramic overview of Monroe’s short life. It prompts reflection on the power of images, and raises questions about the interplay between the public eye, seemingly intimate photo shoots, clichés, self-empowerment, tragedy and commercialisation. With close to 350 pages, this book represents a concise account of photographic and media history, whilst powerfully demonstrating why Marilyn Monroe still manages to cause a stir to this day.
Ulrich RüterThe 1st of June marks the anniversary of her birth for the 100th time, and it will be accompanied by countless books, exhibitions and documentaries. The interest in the MM phenomenon seems unbroken, and continues to be fuelled by ever-new aspects. Even her jewellery and clothes thrive on the aura of their former host: for example, when Kim Kardashian showed off what is arguably “the most famous dress in the world” for a few minutes at the 2022 Met Gala, the story spread like wildfire across all media channels. It was the figure-hugging dress that Marilyn Monroe wore on May 19, 1962, when she congratulated President John F. Kennedy on his birthday – just a few months before her death. The surviving film footage of that appearance – in black and white and out of focus – made this event iconic, and turned the dress into a collector’s item, auctioned off for millions.
In order to understand why Marilyn Monroe still commands such a strong media presence to this day, it is worth taking a look at this latest photo book. Before the photographic section breaks down Monroe’s career and the various ways in which she has been portrayed, three introductory essays shed light on fundamental questions regarding the relationship between image, the public sphere and its impact. This is followed by seventeen portfolios, by sixteen male photographers and just one woman – which is another aspect of media and reception history that cannot be overlooked.
The visual journey begins with the early series by André de Dienes and Joseph Jasgur, and continues with subsequent ones by Bruno Bernard and John Florea. They demonstrate the refinement of an image, and transform the ambitious young talent into an iconic figure – bleached, sexualised and omnipresent. Then comes Eve Arnold, presented as a photojournalist who, in her portraits, deliberately explores the fine line between the media phenomenon and the vulnerable private individual. Portraits, celebrity motifs and staged images by Philippe Halsman, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Elliott Erwitt, Milton Greene, Sam Shaw, George Barris, Cecil Beaton, Richard Avedon, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Bruce Davidson, Bert Stern and Allan Grant come next. By itself, this list highlights a “who’s who” of the 20th century’s most celebrated photographers. Their images accompanied, sustained and scrutinised Monroe’s career.
In addition to bringing together a selection of iconic images, this gold-bordered anniversary volume offers a panoramic overview of Monroe’s short life. It prompts reflection on the power of images, and raises questions about the interplay between the public eye, seemingly intimate photo shoots, clichés, self-empowerment, tragedy and commercialisation. With close to 350 pages, this book represents a concise account of photographic and media history, whilst powerfully demonstrating why Marilyn Monroe still manages to cause a stir to this day.
Marilyn Monroe 100+-
Texts by Rachel Syme, David Wills, Louie Conway, Christian Siriano
Photo series by 17 photographers
348 pages, 170 black and white, and 88 colour pictures
27 × 33 cm, German, ACC Art Books
Elliott Erwitt: Marilyn Monroe, New York, 1954. © Elliott Erwitt LLC
Joseph Jasgur photographed the young Norma Jeane for her first model portfolio, 1946. Joseph Jasgur © The Estate of Marilyn Monroe LLC
Sam Shaw: Marilyn Monroe in Roxbury, Connecticut, 1957. © Shaw Family Archives Ltd
Cecil Beaton: Portrait of Marilyn Monroe with a bird on her hand. Cecil Beaton Archive © Condé Nast
John Florea: a promotional photograph of Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, 1953. © Melanie Martinez Florea, Trustee for John Florea Estate
Eve Arnold: Marilyn Monroe reads Ulysses by James Joyce, Mt. Sinai, New York, 1952. © Eve Arnold Estate
Allan Grant: Marilyn Monroe’s last photo shoot, published in LIFE on August 3, 1962, the evening before her death. © 1962 MM LLC