'She wanted to be a superstar': Never-before-seen photographs of Linda Lovelace, aged 24, reveal her attempts at becoming 'a legitimate actress'

Exposed: Never-seen-before color photographs of Seventies porn star Linda Lovelace posing up for the camera at the age of 24 will go on show next Monday at the Museum of Sex in New York

Body confidence: The dark-haired siren was snapped in clothing and in a state of undress by the acclaimed photographer Milton H. Greene in 1973

New York-based art investors Kevin and Yuliya Mattei purchased the entire collection of negatives along with the copyrights and spent months digitally re-mastering them.

They have released 28 portraits of Lovelace, who died aged 53 from injuries sustained in a car crash in 2002, for the upcoming exhibit in Manhattan, which opens on Monday December 9.

One particular shot of the screen star wrapped in pink fabric is a favourite of the art duo, because of the way it 'drapes, falls and moves' on her body, they told MailOnline.

In the spotlight: The photoshoot took place a year after Lovelace shot to fame as a result of the hugely-popular X-rated movie Deep Throat

Blonde bombshell: The softly lit, feminine images were intended to help her break Hollywood as a 'legitimate' actress

Buried treasure: However the photos remained lost, unprocessed and in private ownership until they surfaced at auction in Los Angeles this July

It was Lovelace's reportedly violent first husband and manager, Chuck Traynor, who initiated her studio session with Greene.

He wanted the photographer - best-known for his intimate portraits of Marilyn Monroe - to give Lovelace a 'completely new look'.

Greene's son, Joshua, who acted as a studio manager on the three-day photoshoot, recalled setting up environments that oozed 'fantasy with sexual overtones.'

Full color: New York-based art investors Kevin and Yuliya Mattei purchased the entire collection of negatives along with the copyrights and spent months digitally re-mastering them

On show: They have released 28 portraits of Lovelace, who died aged 53 from injuries sustained in a car crash in 2002, for the upcoming exhibit in Manhattan, which opens on Monday December 9

Winning shot: They told MailOnline that their favorite shot is one of the screen star wrapped in pink fabric, because of the way it 'drapes, falls and moves' on her body

Kevin Mattei who has been working on restoring the Lovelace images taken by Greene says they definitely focus on the actress' demure side.

'The collection should dramatically alter the way people look at Lovelace while discrediting the manner in which she has previously been portrayed - she wanted to be a superstar.

'We get a glimpse into her ambitious attempt to become a legitimate actress,' he said.

Smile for the camera: It was Lovelace's reportedly violent first husband and manager, Chuck Traynor, who initiated her studio session with Greene

Shedding her porn image: He wanted the photographer - best-known for his intimate portraits of Marilyn Monroe - to give Lovelace a 'completely new look'

Surreal edge: Greene's son, Joshua, who acted as a studio manager on the three-day photoshoot, recalled setting up environments that oozed 'fantasy with sexual overtones'

Indeed, far from the stereotypical 'trashy' porn star image, Lovelace appears almost ethereal.

One shot shows her coyly looking at the camera with her bare breasts on show as a colorful wreath of flowers sits on her head.

Another sees her exuding Hollywood glamor, as she sits wearing a long black skirt, sequined cardigan and big fur collar, with her hair neatly crimped.

Greene went on to take 2,000 images of Lovelace between her filming Deep Throat I in 1972 and Deep Throat II and in 1974.

String willed: Kevin Mattei who has been working on restoring the Lovelace images says they're a clear indicator of how much she wanted 'to be a superstar'

Born performer: 'We get a glimpse into her ambitious attempt to become a legitimate actress,' he said

Artist's muse: Greene went on to take 2,000 images of Lovelace between her filming Deep Throat I in 1972 and Deep Throat II and in 1974

Despite the two movies making her a household name, Lovelace later spoke out against pornography in speeches to universities and governments.

‘When you see the movie Deep Throat, you are watching me being raped,’ she boldly stated in a 1986 official inquiry into the sex industry. ‘It is a crime that movie is still showing. There was a gun to my head the entire time.’

For her old friends in the business, though, she was labeled a traitor; they sneeringly coined the term ‘Linda Syndrome’ to describe former porn stars who later try to disown their seedy careers.

The exhibition’s photographs reveal, even before Lovelace made Deep Throat II, that she was keen to get out of the adult entertainment industry.

Made the wrong move: Despite the two movies making her a household name, Lovelace later spoke out against pornography in speeches to universities and governments

Bad memories: 'When you see the movie Deep Throat, you are watching me being raped,' she boldly told an official inquiry into the sex industry in 1986

White for purity: For her old friends in the business, though, she was a traitor and they sneeringly coined the term 'Linda Syndrome' to describe former porn stars who later try to disown their seedy careers

Well covered up: The early photographs included in the exhibit reveal, even before Lovelace made Deep Throat II, she was keen to get out of the adult entertainment industry

True lady: This image sees Lovelace exuding Hollywood glamor, as she sits wearing a long black skirt, sequined cardigan and big fur collar, with her hair neatly crimped

In addition to the images on display at the Museum of Sex, there will also be a collection of limited-edition fine art prints on sale