Marilyn Monroe's enduring artistic legacy explored in new National Portrait Gallery exhibition and book

A new exhibition and book titled 'Marilyn Monroe: a Portrait' at the National Portrait Gallery in London (4 June–6 September) examines Monroe as a subject in visual arts beyond film. Curated and edited by Rosie Broadley, the project includes works by Andy Warhol, Pauline Boty, Marlene Dumas, James Gill, and Rosalyn Drexler. Warhol's 1962 silkscreen 'Green Marilyn' and his first portrait 'Gold Marilyn Monroe' (1962) are highlighted, the latter enshrining her like a Byzantine saint. Willem de Kooning's 1954 painting 'Marilyn Monroe' is noted as the only work in his 'Woman' series named after a specific individual. The show also features works by Rosalyn Drexler, including 'Marilyn Pursued by Death' (1963), and experimental pieces by Philippe Halsman (with Salvador Dalí) and Joseph Cornell. British artist Pauline Boty's 'The Only Blonde in the World' (1963) is included, aiming to raise her profile in the US. The book includes contributions from art historian Griselda Pollock, who discusses Lee Krasner's 'Sun Woman I' (1957) as capturing Monroe's energy. Monroe's agency in shaping her image is emphasized, particularly her collaboration with photographer Eve Arnold. The exhibition runs alongside a 256-page book published with the Marilyn Monroe estate.