Philippe Halsman | -scaled.jpg Outtake from Life magazine cover photoshoot. 1952
“Philippe Halsman first met Marilyn Monroe in 1949, on a shoot for Life magazine. Marilyn was one of six Hollywood starlets trying to break into t
(...) he film industry, and Halsman tested all of them to see who had the best potential to be a successful actress. He photographed each of them in four make-believe scenarios: pretending to kiss a lover, laughing at a joke, frightened by a monster, and sipping a delicious drink. In 1952 Life wanted to do a story on a young Hollywood star, and Halsman remembered Monroe from the ‘49 shoot. He suggested that she be the subject. He flew out to Hollywood and photographed Marilyn in her small apartment, as well as doing things around her neighborhood. Life loved the photos and the relatively unknown Monroe was chosen to be on the cover of the April 7, 1952 issue. This legitimized her appeal and star-status, allowing her to sign a multi-year film contract. This image is an out-take from the famous shoot, which was a turning point in her career.”
– Oliver Halsman Rosenberg, Halsman Archive © Philippe Halsman | Magnum Photos