Edith Sitwell; Marilyn Monroe

1 portrait of Edith Sitwell

Photo by George Silk. ©The LIFE Picture Collection.

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Edith Sitwell; Marilyn Monroe

by George Silk
modern bromide print, January 1953
Given by Barbara Baker Burrows and Russell Burrows, 2012
Photographs Collection
NPG x137375

Sittersback to top

Artistback to top

  • George Silk (1916-2004), Photojournalist for Life magazine. Artist or producer of 1 portrait, Sitter in 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

Poet and biographer Edith Sitwell (1887-1964) met Monroe during a ten week visit to Hollywood. Brought together by Life magazine, Monroe visited Sitwell in the Sunset Tower Hotel wearing a green dress appearing to Sitwell 'like a daffodil'. In Sitwell's autobiography (1964) she recalled a conversation about Rudolf Steiner whose works Monroe had been reading; 'She was very quiet, and had great natural dignity...and was extremely intelligent. She was also exceedingly sensitive...in repose her face was at moments strangely, prophetically tragic, like the face of a beautiful ghost...' Sitwell and Monroe met again in London for lunch at the Sesame Club in October 1956.

Placesback to top

  • Place made and portrayed: United States (Sunset Tower Hotel, Hollywood, California)

Events of 1953back to top

Current affairs

A combination of low pressure in the North Sea, hurricane force winds, and high tides result in the Great Flood of 1953. With no warning system many were trapped in their homes as 20-foot waves crashed on the coast; hundreds were killed at sea and on the east coast.
John Hunt's British Expedition conquers Everest. News of the achievement reached Britain on the day of Elizabeth's coronation.

Art and science

Frances Crick and James Watson discover the double helix structure of DNA. Uncovering DNA's chemical make-up revolutionised our understanding of the building blocks of life.
Ian Fleming publishes his first James Bond novel, Casino Royal.
Chad Varah founds 'The Samaritans' helpline.

International

Joseph Stalin dies four days after suffering a stroke. It has been suggested that Stalin was assassinated, as he was denied medical assistance for over a day after he was found; many suspect that he was poisoned. On his death Georgy Malenkov became leader of the Soviet Union.

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