First Previous 1 OF 49 NextLast

Marilyn Monroe

1 of 49 portraits of Marilyn Monroe

© reserved; collection National Portrait Gallery, London

1 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

Marilyn Monroe

by Antony Beauchamp
glossy bromide print, 1951
162 mm x 182 mm
Purchased, 1987
Photographs Collection
NPG x126696

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Antony Beauchamp (1918-1957), Photographer; second husband of Sarah Churchill. Artist or producer associated with 7 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits.

This portraitback to top

In 1949 Beauchamp married the actress Sarah Churchill and moved to Los Angeles. Here he was introduced to Monroe, through her agent Johnny Hyde (1895-1950). Over two weeks he photographed her; some featured a home-made yellow bikini. The photographs featured in numerous publications from 1952 to 1956. Pageant magazine featured an 'international gallery of Beauchamp Beauties' where the photographer described Monroe as 'particularly sure of herself, and meticulously aware of every angle.'

Linked publicationsback to top

  • 100 Photographs, 2018, p. 81 Read entry

    Antony Beauchamp (1918-57) opened his London studio in 1939, photographing numerous actresses. (His mother also established herself as the society photographer Vivienne.) In 1949, Beauchamp married the actress Sarah Churchill and moved to Los Angeles. Here he was introduced to the American film actress and model Marilyn Monroe (1926-62) through her agent, Johnny Hyde. Over two weeks he photographed her and the results featured in numerous publications over the following five years.

Placesback to top

Events of 1951back to top

Current affairs

The Conservative Party wins the general election and Winston Churchill returns for a second term as prime minister.

Art and science

On the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Festival of Britain is held as a nationwide celebration of British culture, and as an impetus for post-war regeneration. As well as various art, science and industrial exhibitions and events, a major regeneration project was initiated for the South Bank area of London under the directorship of the architect, Hugh Casson.

International

Libya declares its sovereignty from Italian rule, becoming the first independent state to be created by the UN.
At the Treaty of San Francisco, 48 nations sign a peace treaty with Japan, officially ending the Pacific War - the last battleground of the Second World War.

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.