When it comes to icons, one need only look as far as Marilyn Monroe. Born Norma Jean Mortenson, she began her career as model which led to a movie contract in 1946. Her early performances were minor, but nevertheless, well received. In 1953 she graduated to headliner and starred in such classics as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and The Seven Year Itch (1955). Unhappy being typecast as the dumb blonde, Monroe studied at the legendary Actors Studio. Monroe’s education paid off as her performance in Bus Stop (1956) was a critical success.

Her untimely and controversial death in August of 1962 left the world stunned, but elevated her star to pop culture icon and since that tragic day, Monroe has become a muse for many painters and artists. Here is a sample of some prints & posters of the late starlet.

Marilyn, 1967 by Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol painted a variety of interpretations  of the actress Marilyn Monroe after she committed suicide in 1962.

Marilyn Monroe by Michael T Bane

One of nine celebrity portraits, Michael T. Bane takes a cartoonish slant on the iconic starlet.

Marilyn Vs. Marilyn by Paul Baines

UK based artist, Paul Baines, creates his celebrity art work with a sense of irony

 

 

Marilyn Monroe by Vladimir Gorsky

Only one of three celebrity portraits, Vladimir Gorsky, relies on vibrant colors with surrealistic overtones to capture his subjects.

Marilyn Monroe - Everybody's Dream by Renato Casaro

While Renato Casaro is known best for his animals portraits, here he captures Marilyn in a seductive pose.

Portrait de Marilyn Monroe by Neal Turner

Watercolor is used in this portrait of Ms. Monroe as are many portraits by Neal Turner

Marilyn Monroe by Mya Solman

Working within several different genres, Mya Soliman takes an Art Deco approach to her portrait of the icon of the silver screen.

Marilyn Monroe1 by Costin Craioveanu

Known for distorting his subjects, Costin Craio paints Marilyn with vibrant and somewhat alarming colors.

Monroe in Color by Jason Mezera

Photographer, illustrator, and digital artist, Jason Mezera gives us a pop photo  of Monroe done in Photoshop and custom brushes.

Backtracking Marilyn by Julie Ueland

While she rarely does celebrity portraits, artist Julie Ueland uses black and white to enhance one of the screen actress’s most famous scenes.

Monroe by Margaret Loftin Whiting

Using clean and simple lines, Margaret Loftin Whiting creates bold images which are easily recognizable.

Marilyn Monroe by Jerry Bacik

Using soft tones, artist Jerry Bacik creates a vulnerable portrait of the troubled star.

 

Blue Marilyn Monroe by Earl Ferguson

 Treading close to Pop Art, Earl Ferguson has a rock and roll edge to his art work.

 

Marilyn Monroe Nostalgia by Elea McKee

 Fine art photographer, Elea McKee offers up this collage of classic photos of the late starlet.

 

Marilyn Monroe by Juan Ignacio Fichetti

Known for his character takes on celebs, Juan Ignacio Fichetti takes Monroe and adds humor.