Above: Norma Jean posed in tropical paradise

A recently unearthed original pastel on illustration board, this never before seen artwork by Earl Moran was created for the Brown & Bigelow Calendar Company. The model is of course the young Blue Book agency pin up model Norma Jeane Baker, who later transformed herself into Marilyn Monroe.

Above: The artists signature

Monroe posed for Moran during the late 1940s and a pictorial of this collaboration appears in the July 2008 issue of Playboy Magazine. This pastel is a warm and radiant portrait of Monroe gazing seductively from a lush tropical moonlit setting. We are thrilled to be offering this monumental work.

Above: From July 2008 Playboy Magazine feature

Our research leads us to believe that this was created for Brown & Bigelow’s Latin American audience, (another pastel by Moran featuring Monroe which was created for the the Latin Market and marketed under the title “Consentida” was sold by the Gallery a few years back.) This work bears the verso Brown & Bigelow inventory label.

Above: Marilyn Monroe as posed and photographed by Earl Moran

Above: Another view

This rich and colorful image is an exciting “lost work” by one of the leading pin up artists of the 20th century, and a a defining look at the radiant Marilyn Monroe in a tropical paradise. Pastel is nicely framed and properly lined and ready to display in your home or gallery.