MARILYN MONROE AT THE PALACE, MADRID

Fifteen photographs rediscovered after more than six decades

In August 1962, just days before her death, Marilyn Monroe gave an interview to LIFE magazine. During the session, photographer Allan Grant captured an intimate, spontaneous side of the actress, beyond her Hollywood image.

Of more than 400 photographs taken, 15 images lost for over 60 years have been recovered and restored from the archives of Chris Flannery and Jason Greene, associated with 1962 MM LLC.

The photographs reveal the woman behind the myth, revisiting her reflections on childhood, Hollywood, acting, fame and the pursuit of happiness.

The exhibition also features the original issue of LIFE, a documentary featuring Marilyn’s voice, and a silkscreen inspired by James Francis Gill’s celebrated triptych.

A rare opportunity to discover a different perspective on Marilyn Monroe, presented in Madrid for the first time.

From Hollywood star to the woman behind the icon

Milton H. Greene: The Many Sides of an Icon

Between 1953 and 1957, Milton H. Greene photographed Marilyn Monroe in around 50 sessions, capturing her versatility, transformative power and more personal side beyond the spotlight and her on-screen roles.

Two iconic images from this period, A Ballerina and The Hooker Sitting, welcome visitors in the rotunda leading to La Cúpula, setting the scene for the exhibition.

Allan Grant: A More Intimate Portrait

Five years later, in August 1962, Allan Grant photographed Marilyn during one of her final press interviews. His images lie at the heart of this exhibition, revealing a lesser-known side of the actress.

The photographs capture Marilyn as candid, thoughtful and spontaneous, with a sense of humour that contrasts with the public image that defined her career.

CRISTINA CARRILLO DE ALBORNOZ FISAC

Marilyn Monroe 1926–2026: The Lost Photographs is curated by Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz Fisac, an independent art curator, critic, and writer with an acclaimed international career. She has collaborated with leading cultural institutions, including Museo Reina Sofía, Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo. Her projects have explored the work of artists and creators such as Picasso, Fernando Botero, Balthus, Santiago Calatrava and Manolo Blahnik. She has written 16 books in English, including Madrid Chic (Assouline, 2024) and the novel Un beso en Tokio.

Reflecting on the exhibition, she highlights the human dimension of the photographs: “These intimate, deeply moving and spontaneous portraits reveal an unexpected Marilyn: deeply human and thoughtful, yet full of freshness, laughter and a wonderful sense of humour.”