Marilyn's Despair
Created by Xandria Hernandez on Wed, 04/09/2025 - 19:22
This timeline provides a sociohistorical context for Bert Sterns Marilyn Cruxifix II. 1962
Artsy. "Marilyn Crucifix II." Artsy, https://www.artsy.net/artwork/bert-stern-marilyn-crucifix-ii. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Timeline
Chronological table
| Date | Event | Created by | Associated Places | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| circa. 1950 to circa. 1960 |
Hollywood Hell Abused drugs abusing people Many people are very familiarized with the crack epidemic that overtook the 80s and 90s, particularitly in poorer areas such as New York, Philedelphia and Boston. However, during the 50s and 60s, Hollywood was starting to become overtaken with an early form of a drug abuse epidemic itself. In the early 1950s, many Hollywood starts began to abuse perscribed medications that were given to them (or not given to them) by their personal doctors who were supposed to be in charge of their health. Unfortunately, a reocurring pattern started to emerge in which these doctors were more concerned with keeping these celebreties perfroming than making sure they were okay. Some of these common substances included barbiturates, amphetamines, sleeping pills and lots of alcohol. Mnay of these drugs were used as sort of "pep pills" on which the goal was to energize the celebreties so that they could keep performing at their best. The Hollywood Iindustry was cruel but was efficient in keeping their celebrtieis tirelessly working and relentlessly perfroming. Lack of sleep, depression and substance abuse were all swept under the rug if it means that a front of glamour and perfection was maintained. This early epidemic set normalized standards of neglecting personal mental health, particularily towards women. Staying thin, staying beautiful or just staying emotionally well was only possible through the use of drugs, which were starting to be viewed as a "cure". This era of Hollywood exemplified the objectification of female and male bodies, while shoving their personal needs deep down in order to meet the expectations of the harsh industry. In order to cope with fame, drugs was the only plausible solutions to many celebrities. Many notable celebreties who fell to this epidemic included Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.
“How Hollywood’s Golden Age Created a Culture of Addiction.” HistoryExtra, BBC History Magazine, https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/hollywood-golden-age-drug-addiction-marilyn-monroe-judy-garland/. "Golden Age Hollywood Had a Dirty Little Secret: Drugs." History, A&E Television Networks, 22 Dec. 2016, https://www.history.com/news/judy-garland-barbiturates-hollywood-studio-drugs
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Xandria Hernandez | ||
| The start of the month Autumn 1952 to The start of the month Autumn 1952 |
Fallen Angel Taken too Soon Marilyn Monroe was one of the most well known sexy symbols and Hollywood stars from the 50s and 60s. She radiated feminine energy and sensuality and always posed herself as confident and beautiful. This goes all the way from her bright blonde hair, to her stunnung hourglass figure to her iconic red stained lips and often extravagant taste in clothing. Marilyn has been the subject of lots of media culture, as well as the face of many controversies. One of the biggest ones was her death. Marilyn Monroe was one of the many unfortunate people who fell victim to the drug epidemic that started to take over Hollywood in the 1950s and the 1960s. Marilyn struggled with many tragic issues, such as endometriosis which intensified her menstrual cycle and cause complications during pregnancy which ultimately lead to several miscarriged. On top of this, the sexualization of her body and the extreme pressure of the fame started to weigh heavily on her well being. Her doctors recommended her drinking vodka and taking medication to deal with her growing anxiety and unhappiness in her life. Unfortunately, these medications only added to her growing tragedy. She hinted several times to her deeper psychological issues, but always laughed it off in thre face of the cameras. On August 5th, 1962, Marilyn was found lying facedown and naked on her bed dead. Bottles of her prescribed medication to treat her depression were surrounding her as she held a phone in her hand. Her death was labeled as a suicide. However, many people believe she might have been killed or set up. There were many conspiracies surrounding her death, but in spite of this, she remained a huge loss to the Hollywood culture. She remains as one of the many celebreities that fell victim to Hollywoods harsh standards.
"Marilyn Monroe's Death: Early Victim of the Opioid Epidemic." HistoryNet, 2018, https://www.historynet.com/marilyn-monroe-opioid-victim/. "Column: Marilyn Monroe and the Prescription Drugs That Killed Her." PBS NewsHour, Public Broadcasting Service, 4 Aug. 2016, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/marilyn-monroe-and-the-prescription-drugs-that-killed-her.
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Xandria Hernandez | ||
| circa. 1960 to circa. 1960 |
Sister in Hollywood United through the lens Bert Stern, the photgrapher who took the icnoic "Last Sitting" photoshoot of Marilyn Monroe weeks before her death, has a knack for blending the glamour favored by Hollywood and real raw human emotion. This was a common theme seen throughout his works, such as with his photoshoot with iconic actress Audrey Hepburn in "Audrey Hepburn Profile". This photoshoot took place during the 1960s, when she was nearing the peak of her career. This photoshoot helped both Audrey and Bert establish themsleves as fasion and beauty icons in the Hollywood media. Bert Stern served as a middle ground in the Hollywood and fashion industry by understanding that there were certain standards that needed to be met in order to be sucessful in the often crude Hollywood environment. However, in spite of this, he was known for capturing more candid photos of his subjects that were not necesarily posed or forced. He appreciated the true nature of the beauty of his subjects and often used his lighting techniques to highlight their natural features. Whats more is that he presented his subjects in a humanized light. In his photoshoot with Audrey Hepburn, he used shadows to highlight the natural beauty of her face. He did not objectify her, but instead portrayed her in a more serene light. This trend was also prevelant amongst his other works, such as his work with Marilyn Monroe in "The Last Sitting". In both photoshoots, he captured iconic beauties in a serene and humanistic light. He delieverd to the Hollywood expectations by presenting them with glamour, but also respected their humanity by capturing their true raw emotion.
"Audrey Hepburn Photographed by Bert Stern for a 1963 Vogue Fashion Editorial 'The Givenchy Idea'." Rare Audrey Hepburn, 14 Oct. 2013, https://rareaudreyhepburn.com/post/64031908019/audrey-hepburn-photographed-by-bert-stern-for-a
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Xandria Hernandez | ||
| circa. 2025 to circa. 2025 |
Sociohistorical powerBert Stern "Cruficix II" of Marilyn Monroe provides insight into several apsects of the darker side of Hollywide. Beneath the glamour of fame and lavishness lies oppressed emotions and extreme tragedy. The early drug epidemic that overtook Hollywood in the 1950s showcased its toll on Marilyn Monroe as she neared the time of her death. Her drug addiciton, inosmina problems and severe anxiety all were heavily influenced by the substance abuse she was engaging in. Moreover, the sadness behind her eyes that was prominant in this photoshoot was expertly captured by Bert Stern, as he showed a gift for capturing the true emotion of his subjects the same way he did during his photoshoot with Audrey Hepburn. Lastly, Marliyn Monroes death was the sealing point for all of this Hollywood lore. She was a victim of the whims of the Hollywood industry and was used up till her lost drop of energy. These events all provided explanations as to why the standards for Hollywood were set the way they were. The only way to surivive the fame was to drown it with alcohol, drugs and more fame. Photographers such as Bert Stern were a breath of fresh air that did not shy away from helping to expose the true nature of the hardships of some of these celebrities through his work. |
Xandria Hernandez |