“Those early summer days with Marilyn enjoying that blissful mix of warm sun and cold ocean air.” – André de Dienes
I have always said that one of the verities of photography is that there will always be undiscovered photographs of Marilyn Monroe coming to light – and so it is. I have been working with the MUUS Collection which owns the estate of André de Dienes and while de Dienes’ pictures of Marilyn are quite well known – this image from a color negative was just discovered – the only color picture de Dienes kept from a day of shooting black and white.
De Dienes was a successful fashion photographer in 1930s Paris before moving to New York in 1938 and working for VOGUE, LIFE, and Esquire. He moved to California after the war becoming known for his naturist style nudes.
This picture of Monroe, shot in Malibu in 1946, was from a shoot intended to illustrate a book of de Dienes’ poems which never made it to publication. Shooting in black and white, the photographs from the day aimed for a soulful beauty. However, this image of the newly blonde and windswept Marilyn has a freshness and a naturalness where the color jumps out at you bringing the 19 year old Marilyn and the moment startlingly to life – her golden hair taking center stage in counterpoint to her reflective expression. Two months after this picture was taken Monroe signed her first acting contract with 20th Century Fox.
It’s such an extraordinary picture we are publishing an estate edition of 15 prints at 30 x 24 inches where the face is almost life-size and 15 prints at 20 x 16 inches. The 30 x 24” is $7,500 and the 20 x 16” is $4,500. No more will be printed after this.
The prints are being made by master printer Gabe Greenberg who prints for some of the most illustrious names in photography. If you are interested in acquiring one of these prints please e-mail us at [email protected].
Summer’s coming!
James Danziger
NYC – Danziger Gallery
952 5th Avenue. 2nd floor
New York City New York 10075
212.629.6778
L.A. –Danziger at Fetterman
2525 Michigan Avenue
Santa Monica CA 90404
310.453.6463
