"For hours she danced and sang and flirted and did this thing that’s – she did Marilyn Monroe…Then there was the inevitable drop…she sat in the corner like a child, with everything gone…I wouldn’t photograph her without her knowledge of it. And as I came with the camera, I saw that she was not saying no."
– Richard Avedon (quoted in New York Magazine, 24 October 2007)

In Richard Avedon's iconic photograph of Marilyn Monroe, the actress is captured in a moment of introspection and vulnerability. Monroe, typically known for her glamorous and effervescent public persona, is portrayed in a different light by Avedon; instead of the usual radiant smile and vivacious energy, Monroe appears wistful and distant with her eyes downcast, fixed on the distance, conveying a sense of contemplation and weariness. Avedon's lens captures a side of Monroe that is rarely seen by the public – seemingly drained and lost in her thoughts. This portrait was taken at a significant time for both Avedon and Monroe, with the photographer starting to gather career momentum and Monroe at her peak of her seductive powers.

On May 6 1957, Monroe arrived at Avedon's studio on Madison Avenue for a photo shoot to promote her upcoming film, The Prince and the Showgirl. As the actress’s contract with 20th Century Fox came to an end amid a public dispute, a new chapter in her career unfolded with the creation of Marilyn Monroe Productions. Transitioning from being a contract player to managing her own independent production company was a significant shift for Monroe, introducing her to a new realm of responsibilities and challenges. Although this was an exciting time for her career, where she solidified herself in history it was not without struggle. Five years after this portrait was taken, she would die from an overdose at age 36.

Avedon was early in his career at the time of this shoot but would soon become a pioneering figure who challenged the conventional distinctions between commercial and fine art photography, known for his innovative approach to photography and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects with depth and nuance. Avedon brought a unique perspective to his collaboration with Monroe. Often using large-format cameras, Avedon chose a soft diffused lighting set up for this portrait. By this time Avedon had turned away from daylight photography and was perfecting his studio work and incorporating strobe lighting.

The interplay of light and shadow in the image further accentuates its timeless and celestial quality. The sequins adorning Monroe's dress become circles of light, juxtaposed against the shadows that linger in the depths of her eyes. Avedon's masterful manipulation of light transforms the mundane into the transcendent, elevating the photograph beyond mere portraiture to a realm of profound artistry and contemplation.