An extensive exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's birth presents a multifaceted portrait of one of the most prominent personalities of the 20th century – an actress, a myth, and a cultural phenomenon. In the prestigious spaces of the Czech Gallery of Modern Art on Betlémské Square, spread over 600 m² across two floors, visitors are offered a unique visual and emotional experience.
The exhibition includes over 270 photographs by 31 renowned authors who significantly shaped Marilyn Monroe's image throughout her career – from intimate and candid shots by Sam Shaw or André de Dienes to famous photographs by Bert Stern, Eve Arnold, Richard Avedon, George Barris, Philippe Halsman, Tom Kelley, Bruno Bernard, or Milton H. Greene. The photographs reveal not only the transformation of her public image but also the fragility, naturalness, and inner tension hidden behind the façade of a Hollywood star.
The exhibition is also enriched by works of famous American pin-up painters, world pop art stars such as Andy Warhol, Romero Britto, Mr. Brainwash, Charles Fazzino, or Michael Godard, who exceptionally interpret the phenomenon of Marilyn in the context of contemporary art and pop culture. Among Czech artists who uniquely depicted Marilyn Monroe, we will present works by Pasta Oner, Štěpán Mareš, and others. An integral part of the exhibition are also personal items that provide an intimate insight into her private life.
This exceptional exhibition offers a comprehensive view of Marilyn Monroe as a timeless symbol of femininity, fame, and vulnerability, opening a dialogue about the delicate boundary between an icon and human existence.
