America's original sex symbol: Rarely-seen portraits of Marilyn Monroe - including an intimate photograph of her wearing just a bed sheet - to go on show in London
- Gentleman Prefer Blondes is showing at London's The Little Black Gallery
- Features images of Marilyn by Milton H. Greene and Douglas Kirkland
- Hollywood actress told the photographer to come to bed with her
A new exhibition featuring rarely-seen portraits of Marilyn Monroe - including an intimate shot of her wearing just a silk bed sheet - is taking place in London.
Having posed for thousands of photographs during her lifetime, the Hollywood starlet was no stranger to the glare of the camera lens.
However, this set of candid images taken by Milton H. Greene and Douglas Kirkland, reveal another side to America's original sex symbol. They will be on show at The Little Black Gallery in Chelsea.
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Marilyn Monroe giggles raucously at the camera as she lies on a bed, covering her modesty with a bed sheet in 'In Bed With Marilyn' takes in 1961
Taken in 1953 in LA, Marilyn dons a white shirt, capri trousers and striped sandals for 'The Rock Setting'
New York-based photographer Greene began taken pictures at the early age of 14 and went on to have his work featured in Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country and Vogue.
However, his most noted work is with Gentleman Prefer Blondes actress Marilyn.
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They met in 1953 on an assignment for Look Magazine before going on to form Marilyn Monroe productions together in 1956, creating movies 'Bus Stop' and 'The Prince and the Showgirl'.
By the end of their four year relationship, he had photographed her in 52 different sittings producing over 5,000 images, some of which have never been published.
Marilyn cuddles up to a fluffy friend in Milton H Greene's 'Marilyn Gies Oriental With Pekense Dog', taken in New York in 1955
The Hollywood starlet stares seductively at the camera lens in 'In Bed With Marilyn', taken in 1961 by Douglas Kirkland
Milton H Greene's monchrome shot was take in New York in 1954 and called, 'As A Seductive Ballerina'
Marilyn's softer, more playful side shines through in 'Scenck's House', taken in Los Angeles in 1953
Marilyn looks like the ultimate silver screen siren in 'Winsome in White Fur' taken in New York in 1955
Greene died in 1985. His son Joshua, 61, told Stella Magazine: ‘They hit it off right from the start. He was really taken with her authenticity.'
He added: 'Milton wanted Marilyn to step away from the dumb blonde thing, so he took a series of pictures of her in different characters, to show how versatile she could be.'
Many advocates of Marilyn consider Greene's collaboration with her to be the best and most genuine.
Iconic portraits see her dolled up like a ballerina in big white tutu, as well as lesser-know images of her wrapped up in a white fur coat and leather gloves, sitting on a porch step in fishnet tights and a green lace top, and cuddling up to a miniature dog.
Canadian Douglas Kirkland was working as a staff photographer for American glossy Look in 1961, when he was commissioned to shoot Marilyn for its 25th anniversary issue.
The 81-year-old told Stella: ‘She was the biggest celebrity of the time. She took everybody’s breath away.’
Photographer Milton H Greene called this snap, taken in New York in 1954, 'With A Sultry Stare'
Marilyn wears fishnet tights and a green lace top in 'The Hooker Sitting', taken in Los Angeles in 1956
The blonde bombshell smiles while carrying a bunch of roses in Milton H Greene's 'The American Airline Sessions', taken in Los Angeles in 1956
Marilyn jokes around in 'Playing With A Red Veil', taken in New York in 1957
He was invited to her West Hollywood apartment where Marilyn instructed him that she needed 'a bed, Frank Sinatra records, Dom Perignon champagne and a white silk sheet'.
She then went on to pose sensually in the bed, with only a sheet between her and the camera.
The evening Kirkland spent with Marilyn 51 years ago was sensual, intimate, and spontaneous, and it produced the famous series, 'An Evening With Marilyn Monroe'.
After the shoot, Marilyn invited the then 27-year-old photographer to lie in bed with her, where they chatted about their lives.
According to Kirkland, the two of them shared a tension-filled shoot that helped create the stunning portraits.
Thinking back on the evening today, he describes their time together as though they 'were in a beautiful dance', - with Marilyn leading.
Marilyn, who was born Norma Jeane Mortenson, had roles in 23 films, which grossed a combined total of $200 million since her debut in 1950.
She died in August 1962, at the age of 36 in what was an apparent suicide.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Marilyn Monroe by Milton H. Greene and Douglas Kirkland is at The Little Black Gallery, 13A Park Walk, Chelsea, London SW10 0AJ now until 27 February 2016.
Photographer Milton H Greene called this snap of Marilyn, taken in New York in 1954, 'In A Black Derby and Not Much Else'
Possibly one of the most famous shots of Marilyn Monroe is this 'Ballerina Awaiting Her Cue' pose, taken in New York in 1954
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