7 OF 49

Vivien Leigh; Laurence Olivier; Marilyn Monroe; Arthur Asher Miller

7 of 49 portraits matching 'marilyn monroe'

Identify sitters

by Unknown photographer, for Associated Press
bromide press print, 11 October 1956
5 7/8 in. x 8 3/8 in. (150 mm x 213 mm) image size
Purchased, 2011
Photographs Collection
NPG x135981

Sittersback to top

Vivien Leigh (1913-1967), Actress. Sitter associated with 145 portraits. Identify
Arthur Asher Miller (1915-2005), Playwright and essayist. Sitter in 1 portrait. Identify
Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962), Actress. Sitter in 49 portraits. Identify
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (1907-1989), Actor, producer and director. Sitter in 114 portraits. Identify

Artistsback to top

Associated Press, Photographers. Artist or producer associated with 45 portraits.
Unknown photographer, Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 6566 portraits.

This portraitback to top

On 11 October 1956, Monroe and Miller with Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh attended the opening of Miller's play A View from the Bridge directed by Peter Brook at the Comedy Theatre. The ban on the play which dealt with homosexuality was overcome by the theatre becoming a club. Starring Anthony Quayle and Mary Ure, it was declared as 'just short of a masterpiece' by critic Kennth Tynan. Despite Monroe's wish that she was 'just Mrs Miller for the night' her scarlet satin dress designed by De Rachelle also made the headlines. Accompanying Monroe was Jack Cardiff who recalled; 'Marilyn's flamboyant luminosity was enough to make even the polite stalls assembly press close to her.'

Placesback to top

Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (The Comedy Theatre, London)

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Marilyn Monroe - A British Love Affair (29 September 2012 - 24 March 2013)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1956back to top

Current affairs

The first supermarket opens in Britain. Inspired by the new innovation in America, Jack Cohen opened his first Tesco supermarket in Essex.
The First Clean Air Act is passed in response to the 'Pea Soup' smog over London.

Art and science

Pop Art is seen for the first time in the This is Tomorrow exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery. The exhibition included Richard Hamilton's iconic collage: What is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?
John Osborne's play Look Back in Anger opens at the Royal Court Theatre, introducing the phrase 'Angry young man' to describe the new movement of gritty, post-war realism in literature.

International

The Suez Crisis rocked Eden's premiership and marked the decline of British world power and influence in favour of America. In 1956 President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Suez canal. Although Britain and France, who had owned the canal since the 19th century, invaded Egypt, they were soon persuaded to withdraw by US President Eisenhower who disapproved of the occupation.

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this portrait? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license this image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

* What can you tell us? (Help)

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citation (Help)

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.