Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe is the subject of a new major exhibition now running in Prague, marking what would have been the 100th birthday of the Hollywood icon. Titled Marilyn Monroe 100, the show is presented by the Czech Gallery of Modern Art and runs through Oct. 4, 2026.
The exhibition brings together an extensive collection of photographs, artworks and personal objects that trace Monroe’s evolution from Norma Jeane Mortenson into one of the most recognizable figures in 20th-century popular culture. Organizers describe the project as both a cultural portrait and an exploration of the constructed nature of celebrity, focusing on the contrast between Monroe’s public image and her private life.
Rather than focusing solely on her filmography, the exhibition positions Monroe within a broader visual and cultural context, highlighting how her image was shaped by photographers, artists and the entertainment industry over several decades. It also reflects on her continued influence on contemporary art, fashion and media representation.
Photography, film and the making of an icon
At the core of Marilyn Monroe 100 is a large photographic archive featuring more than 270 images by 31 internationally recognized photographers. Among those represented are Sam Shaw, André de Dienes, Bert Stern, Eve Arnold, Richard Avedon, George Barris, Philippe Halsman, Tom Kelley, Bruno Bernard and Milton H. Greene.
The selection spans Monroe’s early modeling years through her rise in Hollywood and into the final stages of her career. The photographs collectively chart the construction of her public persona, from studio-controlled promotional images to more intimate portrait sessions that attempted to capture her off-camera identity.
Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, became one of the most photographed women of her era. Her rise coincided with the expansion of the Hollywood studio system, where image-making was as important as performance. The exhibition emphasizes this dynamic, presenting photography not only as documentation but also as a tool in shaping stardom.
The show also reflects on Monroe’s efforts to move beyond the constraints of typecasting. While widely remembered for roles in films such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Seven Year Itch, she sought greater creative control over her career, including a shift toward more serious dramatic work and a deeper engagement with acting as a craft.
Artworks, personal objects and cultural legacy
Alongside the photographic material, the exhibition includes more than 30 works by American and Czech artists who have engaged with Monroe’s image over time. Featured artists include Andy Warhol, Romero Britto, Mr. Brainwash, Charles Fazzino, Michael Godard, Pasta Oner and Štěpán Mareš.
These works reflect Monroe’s status as a recurring figure in pop art and contemporary visual culture. Her likeness has been repeatedly reinterpreted, often as a symbol of glamour, commodification and the relationship between fame and identity. In this context, the exhibition positions Monroe less as a historical figure and more as an ongoing cultural reference point.
Personal items included in the exhibition offer a more intimate perspective on Monroe’s life, contrasting with her highly mediated public image. These artifacts are intended to provide additional context to her personal experiences and the pressures associated with global fame.
According to the organizers, the exhibition aims to present Monroe not only as a Hollywood legend but also as a complex individual navigating the demands of celebrity, artistic ambition and personal vulnerability. The narrative follows her life trajectory from early modeling work and film roles to her status as a global icon whose influence continues to be felt across multiple creative disciplines.
More information about the Marilyn Monroe 100 exhibit in Prague can be found at the website of the Czech Gallery of Modern Art.
Lead image: Marilyn Monroe photographed by Sam Shaw in 1957 courtesy DepositPhotos.com
