Marilyn Monroe (Promotional Still from The Asphalt Jungle)
Commercial reproduction / Photographic print in a mass-produced frame • Original photograph attributed to anonymous studio photographer for MGM; current physical object is a mass-produced commercial print.
Style & Movement
Pop Culture / Hollywood Regency / Commercial Nostalgia Art
Medium & Technique
Mechanical offset lithography or digital print on paper, likely mimicking a black and white silver gelatin photograph.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (modern mass-market reproduction)
Dimensions & Format
24" x 36" (as indicated by the rear label), Vertical/Portrait format.
Subject Description
A classic portrait of Marilyn Monroe in an off-the-shoulder dark dress, originally taken for the 1950 film 'The Asphalt Jungle'. The composition uses a high-contrast black and white palette centered on the actress's torso and head.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; the print shows visible horizontal creases and surface ripples, likely due to moisture or poor mounting against the styrene backing.
Estimated Market Value
$10 - $30 USD
Auction Estimate
$5 - $15 USD (Nominal value)
Provenance History
Modern retail purchase. The label 'HEIRLOOM POPLAR' and 'STYRENE' indicates it was sold through a big-box retailer or furniture store rather than a gallery.
Art Historical Significance
Low. While the image itself is iconic in 20th-century cinema history, this specific physical object is a decorative mass-market reproduction without collector scarcity.
Notable Features
Features a 'Made in USA' sawtooth hanger and a retail label specifying materials: Heirloom Poplar (wood frame style), Gold finish, and Styrene (plastic) instead of glass.
Condition Issues
Visible horizontal buckling/creasing across the center of the print; potential yellowing or fading from UV exposure; use of non-archival cardboard backing which may cause acid damage over time.
Conservation Recommendations
No professional conservation recommended as costs would exceed value. To improve appearance, replace the styrene and cardboard with acid-free matting and UV-protective glass.