the last sitting
first edition, 1982.
marilyn monroe, a star synonymous with desire, became eclipsed by tragedy with the news of her mysterious and untimely death. just six weeks before her passing, she had been set to make her first appearance in vogue in an eight-page spread photographed by bert stern. the shoot took place over three intensely intimate days in june 1962 at the hotel bel-air in los angeles. these images, later known as the “last sitting”, were published shortly after her death. vogue noted that the news of her passing coincided with the issue going to press, but they chose to publish the photos, stating, “these were perhaps the only pictures of a new marilyn monroe—a marilyn who showed outwardly the elegance and taste which we learned that she had instinctively; an indication of her lovely maturity, emerging from the hoyden's shell into a profoundly beautiful, profoundly moving young woman.”
bert stern released “the last sitting” in 1982, featuring over 2,500 images captured during those three days, including the contact sheet containing photos monroe had crossed out and submitted to vogue to prevent their publication. in this collection, he reflected on the shoot, his personal attraction to monroe, and the numerous nude photographs taken. in 2008, stern revisited this iconic imagery with a homage featuring lindsey lohan, drawing connections between the two actresses and monroe’s alluring legacy.
new york: william morrow and company. isbn: 068801173x. hardcover. book condition: bumping to head and foot of spine. fine. jacket condition: mild shelfwear throughout, bumping to head and foot of spine, unclipped($25.00). Item #422
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