Michael Joseph (1941-) - Marilyn lookalike - darkroom print of the double posing
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Selected by Elena Vaninetti
Has over ten years of experience in art, specialising in post-war photography and contemporary art.
Estimate € 500 - € 600
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Michael Joseph’s signed 1986 gelatin-silver print, titled “Marilyn lookalike - darkroom print of the double posing”, depicts a Marilyn Monroe lookalike.
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Description from the seller
Michael Joseph – “Marilyn Lookalike” (1986) – Signed Photograph – Hollywood Glamour
London, 1986 | Vintage-Style Monochrome Photographic Print | Hand-Toned and Titled, Dated & Signed by Michael Joseph | From the Michael Joseph Family Archive
Platinum Curls, Scarlet-Lipped Attitude (Even in Sepia!) & a Deliciously Theatrical Tribute to Hollywood's Most Famous Blonde!
Some Like It Hot – Marilyn Lives Again!
A wonderfully glamorous, playful and irresistibly theatrical photograph by celebrated British advertising photographer Michael Joseph, captured in London in 1986.
Entitled “Marilyn Lookalike” by the photographer himself, this fabulous image pays homage to the unforgettable screen presence of Marilyn Monroe, with all the seductive charm, extravagant styling and larger-than-life personality associated with Hollywood's ultimate blonde bombshell.
And what a performance!
With her platinum curls, dramatically arched eyebrows, sparkling jewellery, shimmering strapless gown and long satin opera gloves, the model channels the unmistakable glamour of 1950s Hollywood.
Her head tilted back, mouth open in a glorious expression of laughter or theatrical abandon, she seems to be enjoying every second of her transformation.
A little Marilyn, a little mischief and an enormous helping of eighties extravagance!
Hollywood Glamour Meets Michael Joseph's Mischievous Eye
The photograph is particularly appealing for the contrast between its subject and its setting.
Rather than placing his glamorous heroine against an elaborate Hollywood backdrop, Joseph captures her in a comparatively ordinary interior, making the extravagant costume, jewellery and expressive pose all the more striking.
The result is both glamorous and gently humorous - a unique portrait that celebrates the mythology of Marilyn Monroe without taking itself too seriously.
The warm monochrome tones lend the image a nostalgic quality, almost as though it belonged to an earlier era, while the spontaneity of the pose gives it a distinctly contemporary energy.
It is a delightful combination of vintage Hollywood fantasy and wonderfully British theatrical eccentricity.
From Marilyn to the Rolling Stones
Michael Joseph is internationally recognised for his legendary photographs of The Rolling Stones for their 1968 Beggars Banquet album, as well as decades of inventive advertising photography for major international brands.
His work is distinguished by his extraordinary ability to direct people, capture expressive personalities and create photographs that tell stories.
Whether photographing a chaotic banquet, an eccentric gathering or a single flamboyant character, Joseph had an instinctive understanding of theatricality and the precise moment when a photograph comes alive.
In this wonderfully exuberant portrait, that talent is on full display.
No enormous cast, no elaborate set, no animals running riot - just one fabulously expressive woman stealing the entire show!
The Photograph
Photographer: Michael Joseph (born 1941)
Title: Marilyn Lookalike
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date: 1986
Medium: Monochrome photographic print with warm tonal qualities
Presentation: Mounted beneath a generous white photographic mount
Annotations: Hand-titled “Marilyn Lookalike”, inscribed “London 1986” and personally signed by Michael Joseph
Provenance: Directly from the Michael Joseph Family Archive
The photographer's handwritten title, date and signature are beautifully presented beneath the image, providing a personal connection to its creator.
Please note: This photograph depicts a Marilyn Monroe lookalike, not Marilyn Monroe herself - a distinction that is very much part of the charm of this wonderfully theatrical portrait!
A Fabulous Piece for Collectors of Photography, Cinema & Vintage Glamour - what's more there is only one darkroom print of this image in the family archives, and this is it. A delightful addition to any collection celebrating Hollywood iconography, portrait photography, theatrical costume, vintage fashion or the extraordinary photographic career of Michael Joseph.
With its glamorous subject, expressive composition and charmingly playful spirit, this photograph would look particularly fabulous in a dressing room, boudoir, backstage interior or an eclectic gallery wall.
A little Hollywood magic, a generous dose of British humour and one gloriously uninhibited Marilyn moment - signed by the photographer who knew exactly when to press the shutter!
Seller's Story
My father, Michael Joseph, was a London-based advertising photographer from the 1960s to the early 1990s, perhaps best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet album.
Such was Michael’s extraordinary talent for orchestrating elaborate group scenes, often bringing together large numbers of people and animals in seemingly effortless harmony, that these wonderfully theatrical compositions became known within the advertising industry simply as “a Michael Joseph” - a style so distinctive that his name became a description in its own right.
Our continuing mission is to share what we affectionately call “the other photographs”: lesser-known treasures from his remarkable archive, including original vintage darkroom prints, experimental test prints, alternative images from major shoots, celebrated group compositions and more intimate, personal photographs.
Among our most exciting discoveries is Michael’s extraordinary 1964 Vietnam archive, photographed when he was just 23. Many of these powerful images have never previously been exhibited or offered for sale, revealing a fascinating, lesser-known side of his career.
There is also a wonderfully poetic quality to much of his work: unexpected encounters, fleeting moments and what we like to call “immortalised instants” - those unrepeatable fragments of everyday life that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
All beautifully summed up in Michael’s favourite adage:
“Always keep a camera handy, every minute of your living day.”
A philosophy he certainly lived by, leaving us an extraordinary collection that we are still discovering today.
Alongside Michael’s authentic vintage prints, we are introducing new interpretations of his work: striking photographic prints on aluminium and handmade cyanotypes, created from his original negatives and transparencies using the Dordogne sunshine. Some are produced on vintage papers from Michael’s own photographic library, giving these historic materials a wonderful new lease of life.
Together, these works celebrate photographic history and contemporary creativity - from unique prints made by Michael himself to imaginative new interpretations of his archive.
We hope you enjoy discovering these photographs as much as we enjoy bringing them to light!
A Small Note About the Presentation Photographs
Some of our in situ illustrations showing artworks displayed in interiors have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These are intended simply to help you imagine how a piece might look in a home, office or gallery. Although we aim for faithful representations, proportions and scale may occasionally vary.
Please refer to the actual artwork photographs and stated dimensions for an accurate representation of your purchase.
A Personal Note About Packaging
We prepare and pack every artwork ourselves, taking great care to protect each piece with several layers of suitable materials.
To keep costs down and minimise waste, we reuse and upcycle packaging wherever possible. Your parcel may therefore contain recycled cardboard, protective sleeves, old photographic boxes or envelopes - occasionally even materials from Michael’s own photographic library!
And please don't be surprised if the outside looks rather plain, or even a little unattractive. This is often deliberate! We prefer valuable or irreplaceable artworks to travel as inconspicuously as possible.
One small favour: please unwrap your parcel slowly and carefully.
We sometimes use several layers of cardboard, paper and protective wrapping, secured with tape. Please take particular care when using scissors or a blade, as tape can occasionally catch on adjoining layers or items inside.
We would rather spend a little extra time protecting your purchase than risk damage in transit, and hope you will forgive our occasionally unconventional packaging!
After all, it's what's inside that matters, not the wrapping!
Every purchase helps us preserve, explore and share Michael’s remarkable photographic archive, while giving these images a new home and another chapter in their history.
For US Buyers
Customs duties and applicable import charges are paid at source and included in the shipping cost. No additional charges should normally be payable upon delivery, subject to changes in customs regulations.
Michael Joseph – “Marilyn Lookalike” (1986) – Signed Photograph – Hollywood Glamour
London, 1986 | Vintage-Style Monochrome Photographic Print | Hand-Toned and Titled, Dated & Signed by Michael Joseph | From the Michael Joseph Family Archive
Platinum Curls, Scarlet-Lipped Attitude (Even in Sepia!) & a Deliciously Theatrical Tribute to Hollywood's Most Famous Blonde!
Some Like It Hot – Marilyn Lives Again!
A wonderfully glamorous, playful and irresistibly theatrical photograph by celebrated British advertising photographer Michael Joseph, captured in London in 1986.
Entitled “Marilyn Lookalike” by the photographer himself, this fabulous image pays homage to the unforgettable screen presence of Marilyn Monroe, with all the seductive charm, extravagant styling and larger-than-life personality associated with Hollywood's ultimate blonde bombshell.
And what a performance!
With her platinum curls, dramatically arched eyebrows, sparkling jewellery, shimmering strapless gown and long satin opera gloves, the model channels the unmistakable glamour of 1950s Hollywood.
Her head tilted back, mouth open in a glorious expression of laughter or theatrical abandon, she seems to be enjoying every second of her transformation.
A little Marilyn, a little mischief and an enormous helping of eighties extravagance!
Hollywood Glamour Meets Michael Joseph's Mischievous Eye
The photograph is particularly appealing for the contrast between its subject and its setting.
Rather than placing his glamorous heroine against an elaborate Hollywood backdrop, Joseph captures her in a comparatively ordinary interior, making the extravagant costume, jewellery and expressive pose all the more striking.
The result is both glamorous and gently humorous - a unique portrait that celebrates the mythology of Marilyn Monroe without taking itself too seriously.
The warm monochrome tones lend the image a nostalgic quality, almost as though it belonged to an earlier era, while the spontaneity of the pose gives it a distinctly contemporary energy.
It is a delightful combination of vintage Hollywood fantasy and wonderfully British theatrical eccentricity.
From Marilyn to the Rolling Stones
Michael Joseph is internationally recognised for his legendary photographs of The Rolling Stones for their 1968 Beggars Banquet album, as well as decades of inventive advertising photography for major international brands.
His work is distinguished by his extraordinary ability to direct people, capture expressive personalities and create photographs that tell stories.
Whether photographing a chaotic banquet, an eccentric gathering or a single flamboyant character, Joseph had an instinctive understanding of theatricality and the precise moment when a photograph comes alive.
In this wonderfully exuberant portrait, that talent is on full display.
No enormous cast, no elaborate set, no animals running riot - just one fabulously expressive woman stealing the entire show!
The Photograph
Photographer: Michael Joseph (born 1941)
Title: Marilyn Lookalike
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date: 1986
Medium: Monochrome photographic print with warm tonal qualities
Presentation: Mounted beneath a generous white photographic mount
Annotations: Hand-titled “Marilyn Lookalike”, inscribed “London 1986” and personally signed by Michael Joseph
Provenance: Directly from the Michael Joseph Family Archive
The photographer's handwritten title, date and signature are beautifully presented beneath the image, providing a personal connection to its creator.
Please note: This photograph depicts a Marilyn Monroe lookalike, not Marilyn Monroe herself - a distinction that is very much part of the charm of this wonderfully theatrical portrait!
A Fabulous Piece for Collectors of Photography, Cinema & Vintage Glamour - what's more there is only one darkroom print of this image in the family archives, and this is it. A delightful addition to any collection celebrating Hollywood iconography, portrait photography, theatrical costume, vintage fashion or the extraordinary photographic career of Michael Joseph.
With its glamorous subject, expressive composition and charmingly playful spirit, this photograph would look particularly fabulous in a dressing room, boudoir, backstage interior or an eclectic gallery wall.
A little Hollywood magic, a generous dose of British humour and one gloriously uninhibited Marilyn moment - signed by the photographer who knew exactly when to press the shutter!
Seller's Story
My father, Michael Joseph, was a London-based advertising photographer from the 1960s to the early 1990s, perhaps best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet album.
Such was Michael’s extraordinary talent for orchestrating elaborate group scenes, often bringing together large numbers of people and animals in seemingly effortless harmony, that these wonderfully theatrical compositions became known within the advertising industry simply as “a Michael Joseph” - a style so distinctive that his name became a description in its own right.
Our continuing mission is to share what we affectionately call “the other photographs”: lesser-known treasures from his remarkable archive, including original vintage darkroom prints, experimental test prints, alternative images from major shoots, celebrated group compositions and more intimate, personal photographs.
Among our most exciting discoveries is Michael’s extraordinary 1964 Vietnam archive, photographed when he was just 23. Many of these powerful images have never previously been exhibited or offered for sale, revealing a fascinating, lesser-known side of his career.
There is also a wonderfully poetic quality to much of his work: unexpected encounters, fleeting moments and what we like to call “immortalised instants” - those unrepeatable fragments of everyday life that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
All beautifully summed up in Michael’s favourite adage:
“Always keep a camera handy, every minute of your living day.”
A philosophy he certainly lived by, leaving us an extraordinary collection that we are still discovering today.
Alongside Michael’s authentic vintage prints, we are introducing new interpretations of his work: striking photographic prints on aluminium and handmade cyanotypes, created from his original negatives and transparencies using the Dordogne sunshine. Some are produced on vintage papers from Michael’s own photographic library, giving these historic materials a wonderful new lease of life.
Together, these works celebrate photographic history and contemporary creativity - from unique prints made by Michael himself to imaginative new interpretations of his archive.
We hope you enjoy discovering these photographs as much as we enjoy bringing them to light!
A Small Note About the Presentation Photographs
Some of our in situ illustrations showing artworks displayed in interiors have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These are intended simply to help you imagine how a piece might look in a home, office or gallery. Although we aim for faithful representations, proportions and scale may occasionally vary.
Please refer to the actual artwork photographs and stated dimensions for an accurate representation of your purchase.
A Personal Note About Packaging
We prepare and pack every artwork ourselves, taking great care to protect each piece with several layers of suitable materials.
To keep costs down and minimise waste, we reuse and upcycle packaging wherever possible. Your parcel may therefore contain recycled cardboard, protective sleeves, old photographic boxes or envelopes - occasionally even materials from Michael’s own photographic library!
And please don't be surprised if the outside looks rather plain, or even a little unattractive. This is often deliberate! We prefer valuable or irreplaceable artworks to travel as inconspicuously as possible.
One small favour: please unwrap your parcel slowly and carefully.
We sometimes use several layers of cardboard, paper and protective wrapping, secured with tape. Please take particular care when using scissors or a blade, as tape can occasionally catch on adjoining layers or items inside.
We would rather spend a little extra time protecting your purchase than risk damage in transit, and hope you will forgive our occasionally unconventional packaging!
After all, it's what's inside that matters, not the wrapping!
Every purchase helps us preserve, explore and share Michael’s remarkable photographic archive, while giving these images a new home and another chapter in their history.
For US Buyers
Customs duties and applicable import charges are paid at source and included in the shipping cost. No additional charges should normally be payable upon delivery, subject to changes in customs regulations.
Details
Date of print
1986
Artist
Michael Joseph (1941-)
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Title of artwork
Marilyn lookalike - darkroom print of the double posing
Condition
Original State
Technique
Gelatin-silver print
Height
25.7 cm
Width
16.8 cm
Signature
Signed
Genre
Fashion
Sold by
