As a famed art publisher, Weston built his extensive collection over five decades. A pioneer in collecting Hollywood glamour photography, he established it as a form of fine art over 50 years ago.
A collection of photographs taken between
1948 - 1962
Washington Green presents ‘Marilyn’, a collection of intimate and iconic images taken from the private collection of Edward Weston. As a famed art publisher, Weston built his extensive collection over five decades. A pioneer in collecting Hollywood glamour photography, he established it as a form of fine art over 50 years ago. Weston’s archive boasts some of the most evocative images ever taken from the golden era, most notably of Marilyn Monroe. This collection spans the career of the ultimate Hollywood star, from her early days as an actress in 1948, to her final photo shoot in 1962. Masked by her beauty and sensuality, very few photographers were able to permeate these layers to see the real woman beneath. Weston built a collection that reaches beyond the lens of the camera, and these intimate portrayals taken by some of Marilyn’s most trusted photographers reveal the very essence of the twentieth century’s most enigmatic film icon. The work of Laszlo Willinger, Andre De Dienes, Kashio Aoki, and George Barris come together to form this revealing portfolio of the most famous woman of her time. Marilyn was more than just a movie star; her unparalleled beauty personified Hollywood glamour, and her popularity extended far beyond the realms of stardom. Today Marilyn Monroe remains an inspirational and iconic figure. This portfolio celebrates life beyond the movie set, the life of one of the most photographed figures of Hollywood history.
“With Marilyn I never fall out of love” EdwardWeston
LASZLO WILLINGER
Laszlo Willinger was a photographer most noted for his portrait photography of movie stars and celebrities during the 1930s and 1940s. He photographed Marilyn Monroe in 1948 as she was beginning to get work in films. Marilyn was perceived as a girl with potential and consequently her bosses spent money on her appearance, lightening her hair colour, raising her hairline and brightening her teeth. Willinger was widely recognised for presenting stars in poses that were alluring and dignified. His skill with lighting was used both to flatter his subjects and to create an ambience. His studies of Marilyn were different from those done before or after; they were artful impressions, subdued and almost contemplative.
Giclee on Paper | 20” x 16” | Edition 295 | £699 Studio Shot, 1948
ANDRE DE DIENES
Andre De Dienes’ association with Marilyn Monroe began in 1945 when he hired her for one of her earliest modelling jobs and their working relationship continued until 1953. These photographs were taken in 1949 on Tobay beach, New York. The beach had been crowded when they arrived and there was no open background. Then suddenly, storm clouds gathered and within a few minutes the beach was deserted. The clouds dispersed and then they started shooting. “She had the presence of an established star, she was radiant,” recalled De Dienes.
Giclee on Paper | 20” x 16” | Edition 295 | £699 Polka Dot Umbrella, Tobay Beach, 1949
ultricies. Proin quis tristique velit, eu congue leo.
Giclee on Paper | 16” x 20” | Edition 295 | £699 Driftwood, Tobay Beach, 1949
Some photographers maintain a respectful silence during a session, others talk. De Dienes talked, “I asked her to flirt with my camera, to entice me with all her sex appeal and to move as fast as possible, without any posing while I was clicking the shutter over and over. Out of a little idea and imagination, I created an enormous enthusiasm for both of us. It was a happy afternoon for both of us.”
Giclee on Paper | 16” x 20” | Edition 295 | £699 Driftwood, Tobay Beach, 1949
KASHIO AOKI
When Joe DiMaggio and his new wife Marilyn Monroe arrived in Japan in February 1954, they were overwhelmed by a crowd of over 250 photo-journalists and paparazzi and refused to pose for photographs. Although the couple’s privacy was heavily guarded with the restriction of press inside the plane, a few photographs were taken. Kashio Aoki, a Pan American Airline steward, asked Joe if he could take pictures of the couple and Joe consented. Aoki’s photographs were some of the few taken on the couples honeymoon. He kept the photos for 46 years before he published them through Edward Weston.
Giclee on Paper | 20” x 16” | Edition 295 | £699 Honeymoon, 1954
Giclee on Paper | 16” x 20” | Edition 295 | £699 Phone Call, North Hollywood, 1962
GEORGE BARRIS
George Barris was a celebrity photo journalist and worked in Hollywood taking pictures of many stars of the 1950s and 1960s. Barris was the last professional photographer to take photos of her in July 1962 before her untimely death.No one knew these would be the last photos ever taken of Marilyn Monroe. For over thirty years he did not reveal most of the photos that he took.
Giclee on Paper | 16” x 20” | Edition 295 | £699 Phone Call, North Hollywood, 1962
Cosmopolitan Magazine had commissioned Barris to create a photographic essay. He pitched the idea of doing a book project and she agreed, but was most enthusiastic about the photography. Marilyn asked that Barris buy outfits for the sessions so he shopped at her favourite stores in Beverly Hills and bought sport shirts, a bulky sweater, a terry cloth three-quarter hooded beach jacket and a beach towel. “I did not buy Marilyn any undergarments,” said Barris. “She never wore them.”
ultricies. Proin quis tristique velit, eu congue leo.
Giclee on Paper | 20” x 16” | Edition 295 | £699 Beach Towel, Santa Monica Beach, 1962
The shoot continued on Santa Monica beach. Barris recalled, “Marilyn was willing to show her public the real Marilyn Monroe, the real Norma Jeane. She would hide nothing in our photos, no magic, and no make-up in our finished photographs.”
Giclee on Paper | 20” x 16” | Edition 295 | £699 Lost In Thought, Santa Monica Beach, 1962
The sessions were conducted in late June and early July, and yielded wonderful images. “She was wonderful to work with the entire time. She never looked more beautiful,” said Barris. Marilyn was all too human and all too mortal. Before the photographs or interviews could reach the public, Marilyn died on August 5, 1962.
Giclee on Paper | 20” x 16” | Edition 295 | £699 Warming Up, Santa Monica Beach, 1962
Giclee on Paper | 20” x 16” | £3,250 Unframed | £5,200 Framed Edward Weston Collection - Portfolio of 8 Editions
The images contained within this literature are an artistic representation of the collection. To best experience our art, we recommend you contact your local gallery to arrange a viewing. © Washington Green 2014. The content of this brochure is subject to copyright and no part can be reproduced without prior permission. washingtongreen.co.uk
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