National Portrait Gallery hosts Marilyn Monroe retrospective

To mark the centenary of her birth, the National Portrait Gallery in London is hosting a retrospective exhibition titled ‘Marilyn Monroe – 100 years already’, running until September 6, 2026.

The exhibition features a collection of iconic portraits that shaped the actress's myth, including works by Andy Warhol, Cecil Beaton, Eve Arnold, and Philippe Halsman. Beyond the aesthetic celebration, the display highlights Monroe's active role in managing her own image. The exhibition notes that she frequently directed photo sessions, selected specific camera angles, and exercised a right of veto over published prints, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of her own iconography and career.