Monroe and Jack Cardiff had been friends for a while before Marilyn Monroe visited England in 1956 to film The Prince and the Showgirl. Cardiff suggested that he photograph Monroe like a Renoir girl during one of their many conversations about art.
Monroe and her new husband, Arthur Miller, were staying at Parkside House, Englefield Green, Surrey, at the time of the photo session. Cardiff recalls being greeted by Arthur Miller in the morning, who suggested breakfast and a game of tennis while they waited for Marilyn to wake up. She was ready by six o’clock that evening. He became something of a confidant of Marilyn Monroe. She attracted him both because of her beauty and because of her vulnerability. On set, he often asked the leading actress to pose for still photographs during lunch breaks. Arthur Miller’s favorite photograph of Monroe was a soft-focus informal shot.
Dear Jack, if only I could be the way you have created me.
Marilyn Monroe once handed Cardiff a signed photograph of herself and said:
