Legends of Hollywood: Marilyn Monroe

painting of Marilyn Monroe

Artist: Michael J. Deas
Art director: Carl T. Herrman
First day of issue: June 1, 1995

Oil on paper

For this controversial first stamp in the Legends of Hollywood series, eight artists were commissioned to produce color concept sketches. To create the final oil painting, Michael J. Deas used a studio photo from the early 1950s, although he made some modifications: Monroe’s hand and shoulder are composites based on other photographs.

Art of the Stamp