August 4 marks the 64th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death. Through the end of the month, the exhibition “Marilyn: Icon of the Century” invites visitors to discover the actress’s story through more than 100 original objects at Colombo’s Central Plaza in Lisbon.
The world’s largest private collection dedicated to Marilyn
The items on display belong to the Ted Stampfer Collection, considered the world’s largest private collection dedicated to the actress and the only one of its kind included in an international traveling exhibition. Featuring more than 100 original objects—including clothing, accessories, personal documents, photographs, everyday items, and works of art—the exhibition showcases pieces associated with iconic films from Marilyn’s career, such as *Gentlemen Prefer Blondes*, *The Seven Year Itch*, *Bus Stop*, and *Some Like It Hot*.
Twelve sections, a lifetime
The exhibition is organized into 12 thematic sections that trace Marilyn’s life from her childhood as Norma Jeane Baker to her rise to fame in Hollywood. The journey begins with “Birth & Early Influences” and ends with “Immortality & Legacy,” passing through phases such as “Adolescence & Modeling Career” and “New Life in New York.”
Far beyond the sex symbol
More than just a career retrospective, the exhibition seeks to reveal the personality that often remained hidden behind the myth. Ted Stampfer, the collector behind the collection, sums up the exhibition’s goal by stating that these unique pieces from Marilyn’s life allow us today to get closer to her true identity—an identity that has endured over time.
FLASH, a sensory installation
The experience is complemented by “FLASH, ” an immersive multimedia installation created by Grandpa’s Studio, which combines projections, lighting, video, and an immersive soundtrack to transform some of the actress’s most iconic images into a sensory experience.
Part of a larger cultural project
“Marilyn: Icon of the Century” is part of the cultural project “Art Has Arrived at Colombo, ” launched in 2011 with the goal of bringing the public closer to art in an accessible way, and which has already brought exhibitions such as “Leonardo Da Vinci — Immersive Art Experience,” “100 Years of Nadir Afonso,” and “CARRY ME — 100 Years of Luggage.”
Useful Information
Address: Colombo – Central Plaza, Level 0, Lisbon (near the Colégio Militar/Luz metro station)
Hours: through August 30, 2026, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: freeadmission
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