Marilyn 'Poolside' by Bernard of Hollywood

A beautiful gelatin silver print of Marilyn relaxing, poolside, at the Palm Springs Raquet Club in California. This timeless image was originally captured by ace celebrity photographer, Bruno Bernard, in 1949. This stunning edition was printed later under the supervision of the artist's estate.

This photograph is inscribed in black felt tip pen, lower right, "from the estate of Bernard of Hollywood'. Additionally, it has been typographically signed within the image, lower right, 'Bernard of Hollywood'.

Marilyn caught the eye of Johnny Hyde, Vice President of the William Morris Agency, who happened to be visiting the racquet club at the same time this historic photo was taken. This encounter with Hyde would earn Marilyn a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox - the studio with whom she would launch her legendary film career The rest, of course, is history!

Bruno Bernard (1912-1987), also known as Bernard of Hollywood, was born into poverty on February 2nd, 1912, in Berlin, Germany. His studio at 9055 Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles became a mecca for Hollywood's aspiring young actresses. He is credited with popularising pin-up photography, and first photographed Marilyn, then Norma Jeane, in 1947.