MARILYN, THE PORTRAIT GALLERY AND ONE OF LONDON’S GREAT GEMS
The National Portrait Gallery is one of London’s great cultural gems. Just moments from Trafalgar Square, it is the kind of place that is easy to overlook, yet once inside, you can happily spend an hour or two wandering through its extraordinary collection. Best of all, general entry is free.
There is an especially good reason to visit at the moment, with Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait running until 6 September.
Marilyn Monroe, The National Portrait Gallery, The Culture Digest
More than six decades after her death, Marilyn remains one of the most recognisable faces on the planet. Few stars have managed to retain such an extraordinary hold on popular culture. Her image is everywhere, yet somehow she continues to fascinate.
This exhibition takes us back to the beginning, showing Marilyn in her younger years as Norma Jeane before following her transformation into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. It then takes us through the later years of her life and, importantly, explores what happened to the Marilyn image after her death.
Marilyn Monroe, The National Portrait Gallery, The Culture Digest
Along the way there are photographs by some of the great photographers of the twentieth century, as well as artworks and personal objects. Seeing the photographs together gives a fascinating sense of how her public persona developed, from young model to Hollywood icon, and also offers glimpses of the woman behind the famous image.
It is easy to assume that we have all seen Marilyn before, but the exhibition makes you look again. There is something surprisingly moving about seeing her at different stages of her life, knowing what lies ahead, while also appreciating just how powerful her image became after her death.
Marilyn Monroe, The National Portrait Gallery, The Culture Digest
The show is accessible, beautifully presented and a good reminder of why Marilyn remains such a compelling figure.
So, if you’re in London, make a visit to the National Portrait Gallery part of your day. It is free, it is in a wonderful central location, and there is a very good exhibition on at the moment.
Just don’t leave it too late - Marilyn leaves the Portrait Gallery on 6 September.