In June 2003, Dr. Snejanka Bauer, pointed out during a lecture in the Louvre, the Andy Warhol famous silkscreen prints presented parallels between Marilyn Monroe and Mother of God icons. ‘Paintings of her have a similar function to Orthodox icons for the devout,’ said Bauer, who was immediately accused of blasphemy by the attending audience.
At that moment she decided to organise an exhibition on the topic.In December 2010, 300 Marilyn Monroe items went on display at the Ikonen Museum in Frankfurt, most of them collected by Ted Sampler who lent most of the items and is co-curator of the exhibition at the publicly-funded museum. He began collecting Monroe memorabilia in 1999 when her private possessions were put up for auction at Christies. The collection includes Monroe’s hair curlers and clothing including a cream satin morning coat and handmade shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo.
The exhibition also included Andy Warhol portraits of Monroe, work by Russian artist Alexander Timoveef, which illustrates the cover of the book, her film scripts, letters, bills and even some items of her make-up kit.A fascinating little book packed with photos of the collection from the exhibitions and Marilyn memorabilia which is worth adding to your collection.
Snejanka Bauer’s interests include: Icon painting and contemporary art, art in Nazi Germany, the Munich school, the Russian avant-garde, Marc Chagall, football and religion.
By Fraser Penney
