Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989) was an American photographer known for his controversial and provocative black-and-white photographs. He was born on November 4, 1946, in Floral Park, New York. Mapplethorpe attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where he studied drawing, painting, and sculpture. In the 1970s and 1980s, Mapplethorpe gained significant recognition for his striking and often explicit depictions of the human form, particularly male nudes and flowers. His photographs pushed the boundaries of sexuality, exploring themes of BDSM, homoeroticism, and the body in a way that was both confrontational and artistic. His images were characterized by their formal elegance, precise composition, and use of lighting.Mapplethorpe's work sparked considerable controversy and debate, with critics arguing over issues of obscenity and artistic freedom. In 1989, his work was at the center of a high-profile censorship trial in Cincinnati, Ohio, which charged a museum and its director with obscenity for exhibiting his photographs. Mapplethorpe himself was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986 and passed away from complications related to the disease on March 9, 1989, at the age of 42. Despite the controversy surrounding his work, Mapplethorpe is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential photographers of the 20th century. His legacy continues to be celebrated for his technical mastery, aesthetic vision, and his role in challenging societal norms and expanding the possibilities of photography as an art form.
Measures 6.26 x 8.49
Printed circa 1990s
Verso is blank.
Mounted to archival quality paper.