Above: Full view

Above: The artist’s signature

A dazzling and erotic oil on canvas by Earl Moran of the platinum bombshell Marilyn Monroe in the nude. Dated 1960 on verso stretcher bar, and marked “Aaron Brothers #646″on back of canvas. During the 1940’s a radiant Norma Jean was Earl Moran’s favorite pin up model and a number of Brown & Bigelow Calendar works were commissioned featuring the then unknown red headed pin-up model. Earl Moran left the hectic schedule and deadlines of a calendar illustrator in the late 1950’s and moved to California and started working in oils and created a series of boudoir themed erotically charged nude works that sold to patrons of the arts through an arrangement with The Aaron Brothers Galleries.

Above: Aaron Brothers verso stamp

Above: Verso date and subject title verso stretcher bar

Above: Detail of Marilyn Monroe

In this 1960 work the icon is captured as Hollywood’s “platinum bombshell” and whatever wholesomeness that existed in earlier Moran / Marilyn depictions gives way to a dramatic sexual urgency and erotic Playboy Centerfold pose.

Above: Framed and matted in fine Newcomb_Macklin gallery frame

Above: Frame profile detail