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Henri Cartier-Bresson — Marilyn Monroe during the filming of 'The Misfits,' Nevada
Henri Cartier-Bresson

Marilyn Monroe during the filming of 'The Misfits,' Nevada

A masterful example of Henri Cartier-Bresson's legendary street photography instincts transposed to a Hollywood set, this gelatin silver print captures Marilyn Monroe during the production of *The Misfits* in the Nevada desert. Cartier-Bresson's signature eye for the "decisive moment" is evident in the intimate yet composed framing, revealing a quieter, more contemplative side of the iconic actress away from the glare of her public persona. The rich tonal contrasts of the later-printed gelatin silver process lend the image a timeless, almost elegiac quality, befitting what would become one of Monroe's final film appearances.

Medium
Gelatin silver print, printed later.

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Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Eye of the Century

December 12, 2017

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About this work

Henri Cartier-Bresson, Marilyn Monroe during the filming of 'The Misfits,' Nevada

A masterful example of Henri Cartier-Bresson's legendary street photography instincts transposed to a Hollywood set, this gelatin silver print captures Marilyn Monroe during the production of *The Misfits* in the Nevada desert. Cartier-Bresson's signature eye for the "decisive moment" is evident in the intimate yet composed framing, revealing a quieter, more contemplative side of the iconic actress away from the glare of her public persona. The rich tonal contrasts of the later-printed gelatin silver process lend the image a timeless, almost elegiac quality, befitting what would become one of Monroe's final film appearances.

Medium
Gelatin silver print, printed later.
Seen at
Phillips, New York, London, Hong Kong

Related themes

20th Century, Humanist Photography, Celebrity Portrait, French Photographer, Black and White Photography, Gelatin Silver Print, Hollywood Glamour, Decisive Moment, Street Photography, Master Photographer, Photojournalism, Black and White, Candid Photography

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