The Hungarian photographer who discovered Marilyn Monroe

André de Dienes rose to fame in Hollywood in the 1940s. According to 24.hu, the Hungarian-Romanian fashion photographer’s work with Marilyn Monroe greatly contributed to the success of the iconic actress.

He was born as Andor Dienes into a middle class family in 1913 in Transylvania. Following his mother’s suicide in 1925, the family moved to Budapest. His brothers soon left for America, while he became interested in painting, drawing and, photography. He traveled across Europe, then in 1933, he moved to Paris, where he purchased a Rolleiflex camera. He started working as a professional photographer for Associated Press and L’Humanité, and his fame as a fashion photographer began to grow.

In 1938, Arnold Gingrich, legendary founder of the Esquire, offered him work in New York. His work was published in Life and Vogue, and he also traveled around photographing Native American cultures. In 1944, he relocated to Hollywood to focus on his career in fashion photography. He photographed the likes of Ingrid Bergmann, Henry Fonda, Marlon Brandon, Ronald Reagan, Elizabeth Taylor, and Shirley Temple.

He met the 19-year-old Marilyn Monroe, then called Norma Jane Baker, on the summer of 1945. He discovered her in a modelling agency’s portfolio and offered Monroe her first modelling job. The 5-week photoshoot produced what is considered one of the most notable series of photographs taken of her. Many of the photos were published on magazine covers, and Monroe’s rise to fame began.

In 1948, she signed her first film contract, dyed her hair, changed her name, and became Marilyn Monroe, whose short-lived, yet, prosperous career left a permanent mark on the history of cinema. Dienes and Monroe worked together on several other photoshoots in later years as well.

Dienes continued to work until his death in 1985, producing several hundred thousand photographs. He was also a pioneer in photo montage techniques and photo manipulation. In the ‘90s, a large amount of new photos from the shoot with Monroe were discovered, and the collection was turned into an exhibition.

Photos: onewestpublishing.com, lintonandkay.com.au

Copy editor: bm

Source: 24.hu