Press meeting at the Ritz | 18B Large

Press meeting at the Ritz | 18B LargeA pioneer for female photojournalists, Eve Arnold is one of the most influential photojournalists of the 20th century. Expressing their very essence in each photograph, Arnold photographed her subjects in an intimate and informal manner. A master of black and white and colour photography, Arnolds photographs of Marilyn Monroe are some of her most famous works. The pair developed a deep sense of companionship throughout their decade long friendship. In

A pioneer for female photojournalists, Eve Arnold is one of the most influential photojournalists of the 20th century. Expressing their very essence in each photograph, Arnold photographed her subjects in an intimate and informal manner.

A master of black and white and colour photography, Arnold’s photographs of Marilyn Monroe are some of her most famous works. The pair developed a deep sense of companionship throughout their decade-long friendship.

In 1956, Marilyn had married playwright Arthur Miller. She was an international icon with an overwhelming amount of publicity about her. Arnold received an invitation from Lois Smith, Monroe’s East Coast publicist, to photograph the actress at a press conference at the Ritz hotel that year. Embodying late 1950s Hollywood glamour, the famous actress was photographed by Arnold surrounded by people. Taking centre stage and with the spotlight on her, Marilyn’s black velvet gown contrasts beautifully with her famous blonde hair.

Fascinated by Monroe’s natural ability in front of a camera, Arnold captured the actress in a way no one else had, in her quiet and vulnerable moments. Arnold’s candid images exhibit the often-unseen side of Monroe, showing the softness and innocence of her authentic self. The photographs captured on The Misfits set are among the last ever taken of the famous actress.

In a career spanning six decades, Eve Arnold photographed people from all walks of life, from the Hollywood elite and political figures to manual labourers. With curiosity as her biggest driving force, Arnold showed incredible bravery throughout her career, putting her commitment to capturing reality above all else, making her photographs a part of history.

A holographic, silvered certificate with archive approved facsimile of Eve Arnold’s signature accompanies each numbered edition.

Each limited edition is a hand-printed silver gelatin print produced from the original negative by Arnold’s long-standing photographic print-maker Glen Brent. The images have been printed on AGSA multi-contrast fibre-based fine art paper.

Arnold’s original negatives are retained by Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University.

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