Marilyn 'That Famous Smile' - The Last Sitting by Bert Stern, 1962

A captivating portrait of Marilyn Monroe from 'The Last Sitting' - an archival pigment print on wove paper, measuring 30.7cm x 30.8cm. The image is signed 'Bert Stern', numbered 10/25 and titled 'Marilyn' in red crayon. It is also signed and dated '2012' verso and features the photographer's stamp. 

The work is accompanied by a COA titled, 'MM That famous smile' in black felt pen. It is also signed and dated personally by Bert Stern. The COA states that every aspect of the publication of this limited edition print, including the printing and the paper, was personally supervised by the artist.

Marilyn was very nervous about a recent surgical scar, which she knew would be highly visible in the photographs. She turned to her beloved hairdresser, George Masters, and asked if he thought she should pose nude with jewels. He replied, 'What a divine idea!'. Bert Stern remembers:

'I started to shoot. This was the way I wanted her all along. Her beautiful body shone ... in a tantalising, abstract hide and seek.'