Marilyn Monroe through the female gaze

Marilyn Monroe through the Female Gaze

Editor’s Note

Marilyn Monroe through the female gaze – Each issue of Snap delves into the transformative power of a single image, tracing its ability to reshape narratives and redefine perceptions. This particular photograph, captured in 1955, offers a rare glimpse into Marilyn Monroe’s private world, far removed from the glossy Hollywood spotlight. The scene, set on a sun-drenched Long Island playground, features the legendary actress in a moment of quiet introspection, her presence both tender and commanding.

A Playful yet Profound Moment

Monroe, the quintessential blonde icon, is depicted here in an unposed, almost childlike posture, seated on playground equipment and immersed in a book. The studio’s usual polish is absent—her makeup, lighting, and footwear are all unnoticeable, replaced by the casual charm of a summer day. This image, though seemingly whimsical, carries an undercurrent of seriousness. The book she clutches is Ulysses, the dense and celebrated work by James Joyce, a novel known for its challenging prose and deep literary complexity. Monroe’s proximity to the final pages suggests a personal connection to its themes, a detail that hints at her multifaceted identity beyond the silver screen.

The Book as a Symbol of Intellectual Depth

Monroe’s reputation as a glamorous figure often overshadowed her intellectual pursuits, yet this photograph reveals a side of her that many overlooked. Her extensive personal library, reportedly containing over 400 volumes, spanned genres from poetry to philosophy, with Ulysses standing out as a testament to her curiosity and dedication. The photo was not a staged prop; it was a spontaneous capture, according to Michael Arnold, Eve’s grandson, who noted that the image was taken as Monroe was preparing for a photoshoot. “She didn’t just pose for the camera—she engaged with it, allowing the moment to speak for itself,” Arnold explained, emphasizing the photograph’s authenticity.

Feminist Interpretations and Monroe’s Agency

Art historian Griselda Pollock, in her 2016 analysis of the image, highlighted Monroe’s deliberate choice to be seen in the closing passages of Ulysses. “By aligning herself with the novel’s final pages, where Molly Bloom’s stream-of-consciousness monologue embodies the freedom of a woman’s inner life,” Pollock wrote, “Monroe challenged the narrow stereotypes that defined her public persona.” This act, Pollock argued, symbolized a broader identification with the female voice in literature, particularly one that defied traditional expectations of intellect and emotion. The photograph is part of a new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, which explores Monroe’s role in shaping her own image through photography.

Monroe’s Control Over Her Visual Identity

While film dictated much of Monroe’s on-screen presence, she exerted significant influence over her still images. Georgia Atienza, assistant curator of the exhibition, noted that Monroe’s agency was evident in her meticulous selection of photographs. “She had the power to veto certain images, often using a hairpin to scratch out unwanted ones from contact sheets,” Atienza said. This level of control allowed Monroe to curate a visual narrative that reflected her aspirations, from the playful girl-next-door to the serious artist seeking creative autonomy. The exhibition showcases this evolution, tracing her journey from the early pinups of Norma Jeane, a young woman with dreams of stardom, to her final photoshoots on the Santa Monica beach, taken just weeks before her passing in 1962.

Arnold’s Role in Shaping Monroe’s Legacy

Eve Arnold, the photographer who captured this iconic moment, played a pivotal role in helping Monroe break free from Hollywood’s constraints. Their collaboration began years earlier when Monroe encountered Arnold at a party and was struck by her natural approach to photography. In 1952, Arnold had photographed Marlene Dietrich in a raw, unfiltered style, using no set, props, or tripod. “I simply took her as she was,” Arnold recalled in a 1987 BBC documentary, a philosophy that resonated with Monroe. “If you can do that with Marlene, can you imagine what you can do with me?” Monroe reportedly asked, recognizing in Arnold the potential to capture her true self.

A Decade of Creative Partnership

Their partnership spanned a decade, marked by a shared vision that transcended conventional Hollywood aesthetics. One notable project was the 1960 film The Misfits, a period of personal and emotional turbulence for Monroe. Her marriage to Arthur Miller was in crisis, and she found solace in Arnold’s presence on set. The photos taken during this time reflect Monroe’s resilience and her growing comfort with self-expression. “Arnold saw something in Monroe that others didn’t—her ability to command the frame with grace and authenticity,” Michael Arnold said, adding that his grandmother was initially wary of working with a Hollywood star. “But there was a magnetic pull, a sense that Monroe was ready to embrace a new kind of storytelling.”

Reimagining the Female Gaze

The photograph’s significance lies not only in its subject but also in the perspective it offers. By placing Monroe in a setting that challenges the typical association of femininity with frivolity, Arnold’s lens captures a moment that redefines the female gaze. Instead of focusing solely on Monroe’s physical allure, the image invites viewers to consider her intellectual and emotional depth. This is a stark contrast to the polished, often formulaic portraits that defined her career, which were frequently shaped by studio executives and directors. Monroe’s engagement with Ulysses becomes a metaphor for her own quest for agency, a theme that resonates throughout the exhibition.

Legacy and Reflection

As the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition opens, it serves as a celebration of Monroe’s ability to reinvent herself through photography. The image of her reading Ulysses is more than a snapshot—it is a statement. It underscores the complexity of a woman who was both a symbol of allure and a figure of quiet determination. In a world that often reduced her to a stereotype, this photograph offers a rare glimpse of Monroe’s true self, a testament to her enduring legacy as an icon who defied easy categorization. The exhibit invites visitors to look beyond the surface, to see the woman behind the fame, and to recognize the power of a single image to reshape history.