One original, hand-painted self-portrait titled “Lonely” by Marilyn Monroe, is considered to be one of the greatest iconic actresses and sex symbols of all time! This is one of two hand-painted self-portraits that she made circa 1955, one of which appears to have been lost forever This piece was given to the renowned woman Susan Strasberg in 1955, who was Marilyn Monroe's best friend. Marilyn became friendly with Susan when she began receiving acting lessons from Susan’s father, Lee Strasberg. Lee Strasberg remains to be one of the world’s most renowned and venerable acting coaches of all time. In 1969, Strasberg opened the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York, which is still one of the most respected acting schools in the world.

In the earlier stages of Monroe’s career as an actress, numerous people in Hollywood stated that she needed professional coaching to become a great actress, as she did not get formal training growing up. Hence, she took the step of becoming a student of one of the best acting coaches, Lee Strasberg, in order to accomplish that goal and to perfect her acting.

During this process, Marilyn grew very close with the whole Strasberg family and became best friends and like a sister to the daughter, Susan Strasberg. This piece is one of two purported self-portraits that Marilyn Monroe painted and gave to Susan, which, as Marilyn told Susan, represented the two “Gemini sides” of Marilyn’s personality. The two watercolor pieces are mentioned in Susan Strasberg’s book Marilyn and Me which was published in 1992. It appears that these are one of the very few self-portraits that Monroe has ever made. Susan admits that one of the paintings, “Life is Wonderful so What the Hell”, appears to have been stolen from her and lost forever. This piece is one of the few remaining artworks by Marilyn Monroe that exist to this day.

Marilyn Monroe was a legendary actress and sex symbol who died at the very young age of 36 in 1962. Recently the famous golden gown that she wore on John F. Kennedy’s birthday sold for $4.8 million at an auction. The figure-hugging Jean Louis gown with 2,500 crystals was bought by the Ripley's Believe It or Not museum chain. This painting may be one of the very few self-portraits of Marilyn Monroe that exist in the world today.

The painting will come with the following pedigree and information. It will come with the original book that Susan Strasburg gave with the painting. It will also come with an original letter from Susan Strasburg that gives the history and background of this unique painting. it is a full-page letter on Susan Strasburg’s personal stationery signed by her, stating the background and authenticity of this unique painting. In addition, it will come with pictures that were detailed in the original book, that show that she had given her these two paintings.

It will also come with a $4 million insurance appraisal and a free lifetime certificate of authenticity, that the painting is original. It comes in its original vintage unique gold gilt frame. As stated above, it will come with the letter from Strasburg, the original book, and a $4 million certified Insurance appraisal as we believe this is the unique one-of-a-kind painting from Marilyn Monroe.