Name: Marilyn Monroe, Ballerina Sitting, October 1954 (VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY)
Brand: Milton H. Greene

About the Item

Marilyn Monroe, Ballerina Sitting (October 1954) Vintage Color Portrait of Marilyn Marilyn in Tulle and Satin Dress Hollywood & Fashion 1950's Photography 41 x 41 inches framed Edition 1 out of 7 $12,000 Archives' limited edition prints are all signed, stamped and authenticated by the estate of Milton H. Greene. The Story behind Ballerina Sitting – Perhaps Milton and Marilyn’s most recognizable series of images, the Ballerina Sitting, was named by Time magazine in 1999 as one of the top three photographs of the 20th century, alongside Philippe Halsman’s photo of Albert Einstein and Yousuf Karsh’s Winston Churchill. Taken in Milton’s New York studio, Marilyn is wearing an ill-fitting tulle and satin dress. Not knowing Marilyn’s actual dress size, the dress was two sizes too small, requiring Marilyn to hold up the front bodice. Born in New York in 1922, Milton Greene began taking pictures at the early age of 14. Although he was the recipient of a scholarship to the renowned Pratt Institute, a heightened awareness of the photographic image diverted his attention to the camera and its versatility. He soon apprenticed himself to the famous photojournalist and wizard of composition, Elliot Elisofen. Before long, his keen regard for fashion and the camera found him assisting Louise Dahl-Wolfe, the distinguished fashion photographer known for her unique covers and fashion pages for Harper´s Bazaar. At the age of twenty-three, Milton was referred to as "Color Photography´s Wonder Boy". Milton’s photography traced the passage of an era through the world of Hollywood and fashion. The pages of Look, Life, Town and Country, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue, were filled with his classic fashion photographs and unforgettable portraits of our beloved artists, musicians, film, television, and theatrical celebrities which have become legendary. He was one of the preeminent photographers in the world and is credited along with other eminent photographers such as Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, Irving Penn, and Norman Parkinson, for bringing fashion photography into the realm of fine art. Although Greene was initially renowned for his high-fashion photography, it is his remarkable portraits of our most beloved artists, musicians, film, and television and theatrical celebrities, which have become legendary. It was Milton´s ability as a director that enabled him to capture the qualities that best personified the real person, making each of his pictures an eloquent, unique statement as he converted his remarkable vision into compelling photographic art. Milton believed that as an artist/photographer he wanted to capture people´s beauty, which was in the heart and to show people in an elegant and natural way. His gifts were in creating rapport in which to allow yourself to be seen, as well as his flawless timing. The range of Miltons’s subjects include such luminaries as Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Cary Grant, Sammy Davis, Jr., Benny Goodman, Andy Warhol, Bette Davis, John F. Kennedy, Salvador Dali, Giacometti, Alfred Hitchcock, Richard Avedon, Keith Richards, Queen Elizabeth, Frank Sinatra, as well as many others. But it was his unique friendship, business relationship and ensuing photographs of Marilyn Monroe for which he is most fondly remembered. Milton first encountered Marilyn Monroe on assignment for Look Magazine. They quickly became close friends and ultimately formed their own film production company, which produced Bus Stop and The Prince and the Showgirl. Before marrying Arthur Miller, Monroe lived with Milton and his family in their Connecticut farmhouse. It was during this period that Greene was able to capture some of the most beautiful photographs ever taken of Marilyn Monroe, recording her moods, beauty, talent and spirits. During their ten years together, Greene photographed Monroe in countless photographic sessions including the famous "Black" sitting.

Creator:
Milton H. Greene (1922 - 1985, American)
Creation Year:
2018
Dimensions:
Height: 41 in (104.14 cm)Width: 41 in (104.14 cm)
More Editions & Sizes:
Edition 1Price: $12,000
Medium:
C Print
Movement & Style:
Post-War
Period:
1950-1959
Condition:
Gallery Location:
Sag Harbor, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU60033329621