A timeless portrait of Marilyn Monroe, the eternal icon of beauty, desire, and vulnerability.
No paint, no print, no ink. Her face emerges purely through structure, shadow and rhythm. From a distance Marilyn is instantly recognizable, her features luminous and iconic. Up close the work dissolves into pure abstraction, each blackened steel nail forming part of a sculptural whole.
Hardened steel collides with pristine white acrylic glass, a dialogue between raw strength and fragile clarity. The deep matte intensity of the blackened steel nails reinforces the bold contrasts that defined Monroe’s allure. Fragility and force, mystery and presence.
As the light shifts, the portrait changes. From the side it becomes a relief, almost sculptural in its depth. From the front her gaze and smile return, unmistakable and eternal.
This piece is part of the second collection of Art with Nails by Tijs Dragtsma, realized in a strictly limited edition of ten. Each artwork is slightly unique, but always part of the same vision.
Framed in a handmade Dutch float frame in matte black wood, and signed and numbered on the reverse, this work stands as both homage and reinvention. A contemporary tribute to one of the most enduring faces of the twentieth century.
About the Artist, Tijs Dragtsma
Part of the Art with Nails series by Tijs Dragtsma, this work is created with a self developed technique that transforms classic nail art into a bold modern context. By focusing on pure materials and the interplay of strength and fragility, Dragtsma reimagines timeless icons with powerful presence.
Specifications Title: Marilyn in Black Steel Collection: Second Collection of Art with Nails, Black Steel Edition 2025 Edition: Limited to 10 pieces. Medium: Blackened hardened steel nails Background: Matte white acrylic glass Frame: Handmade Dutch float frame in matte black wood, ready to hang Year: 2025 Condition: New, signed Includes: Certificate of Authenticity (COA) Dimensions (incl. frame): 53 × 53 × 4 cm
