Robert Mapplethorpe
Biography
Robert Mapplethorpe (1946–1989) was an influential American photographer renowned for his striking black-and-white photographs. Born in Floral Park, Queens, he studied drawing, painting, and sculpture at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. In 1970, he began using a Polaroid camera to incorporate his photographs into mixed-media collages. His early work included album covers for Patti Smith and the band Television.
Mapplethorpe's photography spanned various subjects, including celebrity portraits, male and female nudes, self-portraits, and still-life images. He is best known for his controversial and explicit depictions of the gay BDSM subculture in New York during the 1970s, which were technically and formally masterful. His exploration of eroticism and classical aesthetics challenged societal norms and provoked significant public debate, especially with his 1989 exhibition "The Perfect Moment."
In addition to his controversial works, Mapplethorpe also created delicate floral still lifes and stylized compositions that adhered to classical standards. His photography included large-format Polaroids, photogravures, platinum prints, and dye transfer color prints, among other techniques.
Mapplethorpe was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986 but continued to produce work until his death in 1989. He established the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation in 1988 to promote photography, support museums, and fund medical research in the fight against HIV/AIDS. His legacy includes major retrospectives at institutions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art and his representation in prestigious collections worldwide.
