Marilyn in Black Gown Contact Sheet - The Last Sitting by Bert Stern

A beautiful black and white contact-sheet featuring eleven images of Marilyn wearing an elegant black gown with black silk elbow-length gloves and pearls. The artist's signature appears, recto, in red pastel / crayon and his photographer's stamp is present verso.

These stunning images came from a series of 2500 photos taken by Stern for Vogue over a three-day period in June, 1962, at the Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles. It became known as 'The Last Sitting', as it was Marilyn's last photo assignment with Stern before her tragic death on August 5th, 1962.

Bert Stern (1929-2013) grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He dropped out of school at the age of 16 and went on to become the art director for Mayfair Magazine. He photographed many other iconic female celebrities, including Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna and Kylie Minogue. but will always be remembered for his captivating images of Marilyn Monroe. 

When speaking of Marilyn, Stern does not equivocate: 'Marilyn Monroe was great. She was sexy, beautiful and funny - the perfect all-American girl. I loved her.'