Marilyn in art

by Roger G. Taylor

Once described as ‘the only blonde in the world’, Marilyn Monroe’s impact in the course of her brief film career was so great that her image remains one of the most potent and poignant of our time, combining waiflike innocence with glittering eroticism, worldliness with profound vulnerability. Much photographed during her lifetime, Marilyn has sincebeen a constant source of inspiration to artists, from Andy Warhol and noted fine artists to the graphic studios who mass produced greeting cards bearing her likeness. Some see her as the public saw her - sensual, half-open mouth, dreaming eyes, heavy, always just-covered breasts. To others, she is the subject of fantasy - bizarre, erotic, expressionistic - an emblem of pure sex, or the embodiment of the wholesome American Dream.It is the work of these artists that are presented here from around the world, a true testament to her global impact. These portraits exercise artistic licence to the full, but in which there is little that does not connect at some point with the original model in all her fascination, a unique and universal fascination which, forty three years after her death, shows no sign of diminishing.

Genres: Art

150 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Bill Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be a little bit biased toward this book, since I was a contributor. My first oil painting is within the pages. I am a visual kind of guy and this book is a tribute to an icon. The media spans the whole gamut from pencil to acrylic to oil and watercolor pen&ink to computer art and neon. All types of styles are represented also. I enjoyed all the comments from people who knew or just met her.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how the author used quotes and pictures to chronicle her life and her impact on art. The read was pleasurable and quick. It was very interesting to see how Marilyn has been portrayed in art throughout time.