Join us for a tapas brunch created just for us at Thirty7 Covent Garden (one of our lovely partners), followed by a visit to the exhibition ‘Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait ‘currently being shown at the National Portrait Gallery.

In celebration of the Hollywood star’s 100th birthday, and in association with the Marilyn Monroe estate, Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait explores the life, career and legacy of Marilyn Monroe through portraits created by some of the greatest photographers and artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Bringing together works by over 20 era-defining photographers, the exhibition foregrounds Monroe’s collaborative approach to image making and her creative agency. It also includes personal belongings such as scripts and clothes to enrich understanding of the woman behind the image.

From the earliest ‘cheesecake’ pin-ups made when she was a young model named Norma-Jeane, to the most poignant final photographs taken on the beach in Santa Monica in 1962, Marilyn Monroe was one of the most photographed people in the world. A defining presence in popular culture, she captivated audiences with performances in much loved films such as Some Like it Hot.

In the 1950s and 60s, Marilyn Monroe’s popularity secured her starring roles in the work of artists including Richard Hamilton, Pauline Boty and Andy Warhol, whose ‘Marilyn’ portraits are among the most highly prized works of art in the world. She continues to fascinate artists, drawn to her iconic presence and fascinating life.

Itinerary

09.20 –  Meet at Ascot Station
09.38 –  Train to Waterloo and walk to Covent Garden (approx 20-30mins)
11.15 –  Brunch at Thirty7
12.45 –  Walk to National Portrait Gallery
16.18 –  TBC Return train tbc on the day depending on what we all decide to do.  You may wish to look around the National Gallery.