Before the world knew her as Marilyn Monroe, she was just Norma Jeane Mortenson. In 1946, at the age of 20, Norma Jeane separated from her husband, James Dougherty, to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.

That same year, she met photographer and future lover André de Dienes. Captivated by her charm and eager to support her Hollywood ambitions, André invited her on a trip to Malibu Beach. There, they began a photo shoot, capturing Marilyn in her natural state—relaxed, barefoot, and often in swimwear.

During a break in the shoot, André was inspired to create a special photo series of Marilyn, aiming to capture a wide range of her expressions. The result was an intimate and early glimpse of the emotional depth and star power that would soon captivate the world.

This iconic photo collection is now preserved and available through the André de Dienes/MUUS Collection, offering a rare look at the young Norma Jeane before she became a legend.

In his own words, Andre di Dienes said:

“She was twenty and had never experienced the intoxication of success, yet already there was a shadow over her radiance, in her laughter. I asked her to react instinctively, without giving herself time to think, to the words happiness, surprise, reflection, doubt, peace of mind, sadness, self-torment… and death. When I said ‘death’ she took hold of the folded dark-cloth and covered her head with it. Death to her was blackness, nothingness. I tried to coax another reaction from her. Death might be a beginning, the hope of an everlasting light. She shook her head: ‘That’s what death is for me.’ She turned towards me, her face set and despairing, eyes dulled, her mouth suddenly bereft of colour. To her, death was the end of everything.”