Happy 90th birthday Marilyn Monroe: New exhibition features rare nude photos of star

HAPPY birthday Miss Marilyn Monroe.

By Jennifer Dunkerley

SOME LIKE IT HOT: Marilyn was known for oozing sex appeal

The silver screen icon – born Norma Jeane Mortenson – was famed for oozing sexuality and style.

She tragically died of an overdose on August 5, 1962, aged just 36, and to this day conspiracy theories continue to swirl around her death.

But the captivating curvy model, sex symbol and movie star has never been forgotten and lives on through the iconic images she posed for.

THE LAST SITTING: These images were taken just six weeks before her death

To commemorate what would have her 90th birthday, a London online art gallery is launching a pop-pop exhibition called Happy Birthday Miss Monroe, which includes rare prints of the star.

Celebrated In association with the Playboy Club London, the images from ONGallery.com span 16 years of Marilyn’s short life – from 1946 as a young fresh-faced model known as Norma Jean Baker to the famous “Last Sitting” images by Bert Stern, taken just six weeks before her death.

Fans of Marilyn are sure to flock to see the gallery and remember her celebrated and often-troubled life, which cemented her place as a pop culture legend.

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES: The exhibition celebrates what would have been her 90th birthday

Many of the more than 50 images are truly iconic and range from the famous billowing white dress pictures from Seven Year Itch to rare images of a very young, fresh and innocent Norma Jean.

The collection includes largely-unseen images signed personally by Hugh Hefner, including a nude Marilyn as Playboy’s first ever Sweetheart Of The Month – an image that helped launch the magazine.

The exhibition features works by acclaimed artists and photographers such as Andy Warhol, Milton Greene, Douglas Kirkland, Tom Kelley and Earl Moran.

ONGallery and Playboy Club Happy Birthday Miss Monroe exhibition is open from tomorrow until June 30 at The Showroom Presents. Visit ONgallery.com