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The Unmasking: 5 Shocking Secrets Behind Richard Avedon’s Iconic Portrait Of Marilyn Monroe

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The iconic 1957 portrait of Marilyn Monroe by Richard Avedon is arguably one of the most haunting and deeply revealing celebrity photographs ever taken, transcending mere glamour shots to capture a profound moment of unmasked vulnerability. Taken on May 6, 1957, in Avedon’s New York studio, this image—officially titled Marilyn Monroe, actress, New York City—has become a cornerstone of 20th-century photography, not for the dazzling star power it displayed, but for the raw, contemplative exhaustion it exposed. As of December 26, 2025, the story behind this single frame continues to fascinate collectors and historians, serving as a poignant metaphor for the cost of fame.

This photograph is not just a picture of a movie star; it is a document of a fleeting moment when the carefully constructed persona of “Marilyn Monroe” dropped, revealing the complex, weary woman underneath. Richard Avedon, a master of the minimalist portrait, managed to coax out a side of the Hollywood legend that the public rarely, if ever, saw, creating a timeless piece of art that speaks to the universal struggle between public identity and private self.

Marilyn Monroe: A Brief Biographical Profile

Marilyn Monroe remains the definitive symbol of Hollywood glamour, a global icon whose life and career were tragically cut short. Her journey from a troubled childhood to international superstardom is one of the most storied in American history.

  • Full Name at Birth: Norma Jeane Mortenson (baptized Norma Jeane Baker).
  • Born: June 1, 1926, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
  • Died: August 5, 1962, Los Angeles, California, U.S. (Aged 36).
  • Occupations: Actress, model, singer, and producer.
  • Spouses: James Dougherty (m. 1942; div. 1946), Joe DiMaggio (m. 1954; div. 1954), Arthur Miller (m. 1956; div. 1961).
  • Key Films: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), The Seven Year Itch (1955), Bus Stop (1956), Some Like It Hot (1959), The Misfits (1961).
  • Legacy: She personified the sexual revolution of the 1950s and remains an enduring cultural and fashion icon, whose image is instantly recognizable worldwide.
  • Context in 1957: At the time of the Avedon shoot, Monroe was married to playwright Arthur Miller and had recently founded Marilyn Monroe Productions, reflecting her desire to be taken seriously as an actress and producer, moving beyond the "dumb blonde" stereotype.

The Performance and the Aftermath: Avedon’s Shocking Account

The true power of the 1957 portrait lies in the story Avedon himself recounted about the session. It was a photographic marathon, a deliberate attempt by Monroe to live up to the public’s expectation of her, followed by a moment of complete and utter collapse.

The Four-Hour Show

Richard Avedon, a photographer known for his minimalist, character-revealing portraits, had a distinct goal: to capture his subject’s inner life. The session with Monroe, however, began as a dazzling, exhausting performance.

Avedon later described how Monroe—with the help of some white wine—"danced and sang and flirted and did this thing that’s—she did Marilyn Monroe" for hours. She employed her full arsenal of subtle optical adjustments, turning on an inner glow and flashing her most mesmerizing smile, giving Avedon everything the public expected of the ultimate sex symbol.

The Moment the Mask Dropped

Avedon captured countless frames of the dazzling, effervescent star. The moment that became legendary, however, happened after the cameras were put away and the crew began to pack up.

As Avedon recalled, the performance suddenly stopped. Monroe retreated into the corner of the studio, utterly drained and lost in thought. She was no longer the joyous, flirtatious "Marilyn." She was Norma Jeane, contemplative, weary, and seemingly melancholic.

In a split second, Avedon raised his camera and captured the image that would define their collaboration: a stark, unsmiling portrait of a woman whose inner turmoil was briefly exposed. This photograph is a clinical, realist perspective, opening onto the imperfections and wounds hidden beneath the iconic façade.

The Profound Significance of the 1957 Portrait

The portrait’s lasting impact stems from its ability to deconstruct the myth of Marilyn Monroe, offering a glimpse into the tragic dichotomy that defined her life. It is often referred to by the thematic term "The Sad Clown," though this is not the official title, reflecting the idea of a performer whose true feelings are hidden behind a joyful mask.

1. The Uninvented Woman

Avedon was famously quoted as saying, "There was no such person as Marilyn Monroe... [She was] invented, like an electric light bulb." The 1957 portrait is the visual proof of this statement. It shows the moment the "light bulb" was switched off, revealing the vulnerable, human core that the public persona was designed to protect.

2. Avedon’s Minimalist Masterpiece

The photograph perfectly embodies Richard Avedon's signature style. By placing Monroe against a drab, neutral background, he stripped away all context and distraction. This minimalist approach forces the viewer to focus entirely on the subject's face, making the subtle shift in her expression—the downturned mouth, the vacant stare—all the more powerful. The stark black-and-white print enhances the feeling of clinical observation and emotional rawness.

3. A Turning Point in Celebrity Imagery

Before Avedon, celebrity portraits were almost exclusively about glamour, perfection, and aspiration. This photograph marked a significant turning point, ushering in an era of realist aesthetic in portrait photography. It dared to show the emotional cost of fame, suggesting that behind the dazzling smile of a Hollywood icon lay loneliness and exhaustion. This approach would later influence countless photographers seeking to capture the authentic, complex reality of their famous subjects.

Beyond the Sad Clown: Other Avedon/Monroe Collaborations

While the 1957 portrait is the most famous, it was not the only time the actress and the photographer collaborated, demonstrating a professional synergy that spanned several years.

  • The Life Magazine Recreations (1958): A year after the famous session, Monroe and Avedon teamed up for a major feature in Life Magazine. For this project, Monroe recreated iconic images of five celebrated actresses from different eras, including Lillian Russell, Theda Bara, Clara Bow, Marlene Dietrich, and Jean Harlow. This collaboration showcased Monroe's range and Avedon’s ability to direct and execute complex narrative photography.
  • The Fashion World: Avedon was a titan of fashion photography, working extensively for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. His work with Monroe, though often portraiture, was always intertwined with the world of celebrity fashion and image-making, further cementing her status as a style icon.

Today, prints of Marilyn Monroe, actress, New York City, May 6, 1957 are highly sought after in the art world, frequently appearing in major exhibitions at institutions like MoMA and commanding high prices at auction houses like Christie's, solidifying its status as a timeless piece of photographic history and a profound commentary on the artifice of celebrity.

marilyn monroe by richard avedon
marilyn monroe by richard avedon

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