Robert Mapplethorpe was born on November 4, 1946, in Floral Park, New York. He left home in 1962 and enrolled at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, in 1963, where he studied painting and sculpture and received his BFA in 1970. During this time, he met artist, poet, and musician Patti Smith. She encouraged his work and posed for numerous portraits when they lived together in Brooklyn and in the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan, a gathering place for artists, writers, and musicians in the early 1970s.
It was not Mapplethorpe’s original intention to be a photographer, and from 1970 to 1974, he mainly made assemblage constructions that incorporate images of men from pornographic magazines with found objects and painting. In order to create his own images for these collages, Mapplethorpe turned to photography, initially using a Polaroid SX-70 camera. Interested in portraiture, Mapplethorpe worked as a staff photographer for Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. He also produced album covers for Smith and the group Television, and at the same time photographed socialites and celebrities such as John Paul Getty III and Carolina Herrera.
Mapplethorpe had his first substantial shows in 1977, both in New York: an exhibition of photographs of flowers at the Holly Solomon Gallery and one of male nudes and sadomasochistic imagery at the Kitchen. Mapplethorpe’s diverse work — homoerotic images, floral still lifes, pictures of children, commissioned portraits, mixed-media sculpture — is united by the constancy of his approach and technique. The surfaces of his prints offer a seemingly endless gradation of blacks and whites, shadow and light, and regardless of subject, his images are both elegant and provocative. In the mid-to-late 1980s, returning to the sculptural use of photography seen in his early assemblages, Mapplethorpe created sensual diptychs and triptychs of photographs printed on fabric and luxurious cloth panels.
In 1988, four major exhibitions of Mapplethorpe’s work were organized: by the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; the Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; and the National Portrait Gallery, London. Mapplethorpe died due to complications from AIDS on March 9, 1989, in Boston.
Find original Robert Mapplethorpe photography on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Cerbera Gallery)
William S. Burroughs (Iconic, Stamped, Naked Lunch, Beat Generation)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Kansas City, MO
Robert Mapplethorpe William S. Burroughs Photograph insert from Radar No. 1 (1982) Year: 1982 Sheet Size: 9.8 × 7.8 inches (24.9 × 19.8 cm) Framed Size: 17 x 13 x 1.25 inches (43.2 ×...
Photographic Paper
Mapplethorpe "Cock & Devil" Gelatin Silver Print 1982 Satyr & Phallus Photograph
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
"Cock and Devil" is a photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe, created and printed in 1982. The work is a gelatin silver print, known for its stark contrast and meticulous composition, whi...
Silver Gelatin
Silver Dollar
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Greenwich, CT
Silver Dollar is a silver gelatin print on paper by Robert Mapplethorpe, titled, numbered, and dated verso. The print is signed and dated again on the back within his signature stamp...
Paper, Silver Gelatin
Silver Dollar (Color), Signed Dye Transfer Print, Photorealist, 1988, AP Edition
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Aventura, FL
Dye-transfer print, flush-mounted. The photographer's copyright stamp, signed and dated in ink, and with title, date, and edition 'A. P. #D' in ink on the reverse. Frame size 30 x 33...
Dye Transfer
Calla Lily porcelain plate
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in New York, NY
This porcelain plate features Robert Mapplethorpe's iconic 1984 image "Calla Lily." Designed in 1988 by Swid Powell, the renowned tableware company, this plate was a joint collaborative effort, resulting in a 12 inch plate...
Porcelain
Bill T. Jones
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Robert Mapplethorpe, American (1946 - 1989) Title: Bill T. Jones Year: 1985 Medium: Gelatin Silver Print Photograph, signed, titled and stamped verso Image Size: 18.5 x 1...
Silver Gelatin
Lisa Lyon
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Mapplethorpe's (1946-1989) place in the canon was earned from his incredible output of images that ranged from beautiful to brutal. Mapplethorpe boldly showcased the beauty ...
Silver Gelatin
$3,800
H 64 in W 48 in D 0.03 in
Flora Italiana ( Waratah Red ) - large format botanical still life photograph
By Linda Rosewall
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original large format still life photograph from Linda Rosewall's series "Flora Italiana", an intensely beautiful body of works exploring the botanical splendor of Italian flowers with highly detailed captures Flora Italiana ( Waratah Red ) 64 x 48 inches (162 x 122cm) signed edition of 7 40 x 30 inches (102 x 76cm) signed edition of 25 archival fine art pigment print signed & numbered by artist on label custom/larger sizes are available on request ___________________ About the artist Linda Rosewall’s artistic path was cemented during her childhood. She was inspired by her farther, an accomplished musician and composer who raised his six children as a performing family act. The experience of traveling the United States and Canada in a small airplane piloted by her father provided the opportunity for Linda to capture these moments on her small Kodak Instamatic Camera. At the age of 18, she enrolled at Columbia College of Fine Arts Chicago. During her studies, Linda apprenticed under photographer Norman Bilisko and later worked with Dennis Manarchy...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$3,800
H 60 in W 48 in
Flora Italiana ( Papavero Bianco ) - large scale botanical still life photograph
By Linda Rosewall
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original large format still life photograph from Linda Rosewall's botany study series "Flora Italiana", an intensely beautiful body of works exploring the botanical splendor of Italian flowers in the natural world with highly detailed captures. Flora Italiana ( Papavero Bianco ) delicate white poppy flower petals 64 x 48 inches (162 x 122cm) signed edition of 7 40 x 30 inches (102 x 76cm) signed edition of 25 archival fine art pigment print signed & numbered by artist on label custom/larger sizes are available on request ___________________ About the artist Linda Rosewall’s artistic path was cemented during her childhood. She was inspired by her farther, an accomplished musician and composer who raised his six children as a performing family act. The experience of traveling the United States and Canada in a small airplane piloted by her father provided the opportunity for Linda to capture these moments on her small Kodak Instamatic Camera. At the age of 18, she enrolled at Columbia College of Fine Arts Chicago. During her studies, Linda apprenticed under photographer Norman Bilisko and later worked with Dennis Manarchy...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$1,800
H 40 in W 32 in D 0.03 in
Flora Italiana (Anenome Viola) - large format botanical still life photograph
By Linda Rosewall
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original large format still life photograph of purple anemone from Linda Rosewall's series "Flora Italiana", an intensely beautiful body of works explor...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$1,800
H 40 in W 30 in D 0.03 in
Flora Italiana (Waratah Red) - large format botanical still life photograph
By Linda Rosewall
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original large format still life photograph from Linda Rosewall's series "Flora Italiana", an intensely beautiful body of works exploring the botanical ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$1,800
H 40 in W 30 in
Flora Italiana (Papavero Arancio Piene) - large botanical still life photograph
By Linda Rosewall
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original large format still life photograph from Linda Rosewall's botany study series "Flora Italiana", an intensively beautiful body of works exploring the botanical splendor of the natural world and vibrant color palette of Italian origin flowers with highly detailed captures. Flora Italiana ( Papavero Arancio Piene ) bright orange poppy flower petals 40 x 30 inches (102 x 76cm) signed edition of 25 64 x 48 inches (162 x 122cm) signed edition of 7 archival fine art pigment print signed & numbered by artist on label custom/larger sizes are available on request ___________________ About the artist Linda Rosewall’s artistic path was cemented during her childhood. She was inspired by her farther, an accomplished musician and composer who raised his six children as a performing family act. The experience of traveling the United States and Canada in a small airplane piloted by her father provided the opportunity for Linda to capture these moments on her small Kodak Instamatic Camera. At the age of 18, she enrolled at Columbia College of Fine Arts Chicago. During her studies, Linda apprenticed under photographer Norman Bilisko and later worked with Dennis Manarchy...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
$1,800
H 40 in W 30 in D 0.03 in
Flora Italiana (Papavero Giallo Fiorito) - large botanical still life photograph
By Linda Rosewall
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original large format still life photograph from Linda Rosewall's series "Flora Italiana", an intensively beautiful body of works exploring the botanica...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée
$250
H 7.49 in W 9.49 in
Yesteryear's Wire Walker (Unidentified) – original circus photograph, 1950s
Located in Middletown, NY
Gelatin silver print mounted on board, 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (190 x 241 mm) from the Roland Butler Collection, Press Agent, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1930s-1960s) Roland...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$5,600
H 9.25 in W 7.38 in D 0.07 in
GEORGE PLATT LYNES 7 NUDE PHOTOGRAPHS of dancer FRANCISCO MONCION in NYC Apt.
By George Platt Lynes
Located in Glenford, NY
Extraordinary Rare and personal George Platt Lyons nude photographs of NYC Ballet dancer Francisco Moncion in the New York City apartment of Platt Lynes. These are original vintage g...
Silver Gelatin
$600
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.07 in
LON OF NY ALONZO HANAGAN RARE 1950 VINTAGE MALE NUDE PHOTOGRAPH FRED REGAN
Located in Glenford, NY
Alonzo Hanagan, Lon of New York, Original Vintage Photograph of Fred Regan, circa 1950. Alonzo James Hanagan (1911–1999), working under the pseudonym "Lon of New York," was a pion...
Silver Gelatin
The sleeping one
By D.M. Brandt
Located in Cologne, DE
Vintage, signed on the Verso.
Silver Gelatin
she
By Sigurd Rosenhain
Located in Cologne, DE
Beautiful vintage nude photo created by the East German Photographer Sigurd Rosenhain, who lived and worked in Leipzig.
Silver Gelatin
The Rolling Stones
By Art Kane
Located in Austin, TX
The Rolling Stones, taken in 1966 by Art Kane Originally photographed in London by Art Kane for McCall’s Magazine’s 1966 photo essay‘ Teen Idols’, Kane lay on his back and had the b...
C Print
Orchid
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Mapplethorpe's (1946-1989) place in the canon was earned from his incredible output of images that ranged from beautiful to brutal. Mapplethorpe boldly showcased the beauty ...
Paper, Silver Gelatin
William S. Burroughs (Stamped)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Kansas City, MO
Robert Mapplethorpe William S. Burroughs Photograph insert from Radar No. 1 (1982) Year: 1982 Size: 9.8 × 7.8 inches Stamped verso, unsigned Accompanied by Radar, Basel, Edition C.L...
Photographic Paper
Self Portrait #4
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in New York, NY
Self Portrait #4 c. 1970 Polaroid (Unique) 4.19 x 3.25 inches Contact gallery for price. Related literature: Sylvia Wolf, Polaroids Mapplethorpe (Munich: Prestel, 2008), p. 94, p...
Polaroid
Sold
H 4.125 in W 3.25 in
Self Portrait #1, Nude Self Portrait by Robert Mapplethorpe c. 1970
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in New York, NY
Self Portrait #1, Nude Self Portrait by Robert Mapplethorpe c. 1970 c. 1970 Polaroid (Unique) 4.125 x 3.25 inches Contact gallery for price.
Polaroid
Sold
H 13.5 in W 13.5 in
Mapplethorpe Z Portfolio, Dan S 1980 Male Nude Unique Gelatin Silver Print Photo
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
"Dan S" is a well-known photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe, created in 1980 and part of the Z Portfolio. It is part of his body of work that explores themes of identity, sexuality, an...
Silver Gelatin
William S Burroughs, by Robert Mapplethorpe
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Gelatin silver print 9 3/4 x 7 7/8 in 24.9 x 20.1 cm Printed by Radar Publikationen and Edition K.L.A.G. credit stamps verso. Photographers credit stamp verso. Print pulled from por...
Photographic Paper
Moet Blade
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Mapplethorpe (1946 - 1989) helped elevate photography to be considered fine art in the 1970s thanks to his uncompromising images rich in contrast, from beautiful to brutal and elegant to uninhibited. Mapplethorpe’s career was as glittering as it was controversial. Feted and vilified in equal measure, he ran a successful commercial studio (for portraiture and fashion photography) while simultaneously producing some of the most contentious (and beautiful!) images of the 20th century. His depictions of gay sexuality (including S&M and bondage) provoked a fierce backlash both at the time of their creation and well into the 1990s and beyond. This unique polaroid dates from when Mapplethorpe began to focus on pure photography, abandoning the collages of the first chapter of his career. It is also a foreshadowing of his curiosity and pursuit of New York's S&M scene. This unique polaroid features an opened bottle of Moët-Chandon with a sharp blade emerging from the neck. Typical of Mapplethorpe, there is his signature balance of formalist qualities, foreboding references, with a touch of sexuality and violence. Mapplethorpe's style is instantly recognizable: simple forms set against neutral backgrounds, a razor-sharp focus, and opulent, tonal gradations ranging from inky, velvety black to luminous silver-white. Although this is a unique polaroid, its sibling is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. We believe that our example is superior to the two; the label is mostly concealed which intensifies the shapes and composition. Robert Mapplethorpe mounted over fifty solo exhibitions during his lifetime, including numerous museum shows in the USA, Europe, and Japan. Since his death, his work has continued to be exhibited and acquired by major international art institutions. Questions about this artwork? Contact us. "Untitled" (Moet Blade) USA, 1972 Unique polaroid. Annotated 'PD 708' in pencil in an unknown hand on the verso. Original stamp from Mertens Framers. 4.5”H 3.4”W (image) 15"H 8"W (framed) Very good condition. Detailed condition report by request Provenance: Xavier Hufkens...
Polaroid
Sold
H 9.8 in W 7.8 in
William S. Burroughs (~38% OFF LIST PRICE, LIMITED TIME)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Kansas City, MO
Robert Mapplethorpe William S. Burroughs Photograph Year: 1982 Size: 9.8 × 7.8 inches Edition C.L.A.G Carl Laszlo, Basel Gallery COA provided Robert Mapplethorpe was born November 4, 1946, in Floral...
C Print
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in
Patti Smith Horses vinyl 1st Pressing (Robert Mapplethorpe Patti Smith)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Patti Smith Horses Vinyl Record Album, 1975: US 1st Pressing featuring original photography by Robert Mapplethorpe. Produced by John Cale. Cover: Very Good to overall vintage condit...
Offset
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H 12 in W 12 in
Patti Smith Horses vinyl 1st Pressing (Robert Mapplethorpe Patti Smith)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Patti Smith Horses Vinyl Record Album, 1975: US 1st Pressing featuring original photography by Robert Mapplethorpe. Produced by John Cale. Cover: Very Good to overall vintage condit...
Offset
Sold
H 12 in W 12 in
Patti Smith Horses vinyl 1st Pressing (Robert Mapplethorpe Patti Smith)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Patti Smith Horses Vinyl Record Album, 1975: US 1st Pressing featuring original photography by Robert Mapplethorpe. Produced by John Cale. Cover: Very Good to Excellent overall vint...
Offset
Gardenia
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Mapplethorpe earned his place in the canon from his incredible output of images that ranged from beautiful to brutal. Mapplethorpe was one of the key artists who helped elevate photography from image-making to fine art. Mapplethorpe (1946-1989) fearlessly depicted the body (his own, friends' and lovers') in a way that positioned his work in line with masters such as Reubens, Courbet and Eadweard Muybridge to mention a few. Despite the sometimes shocking content of his work, Mapplethorpe's photographs possess a formalist quality with their undeniable beauty and strict compositions. From 1978-1981, Mapplethorpe created thirty-nine black and white photographs that make up his acclaimed XYZ Portfolios. While each portfolio is a distinct exploration of Mapplethorpe's signature subject matter, when combined, XYZ Portfolios serves as a definitive and in-depth representation of his mature and most sought-after, period. (Of the portfolios, X explores homosexuality and sadomasochism; Y features floral still life; while Z showcases portraits of Black men) Click here to see a portrait from the Z portfolio. In 2012, the XYZ Portfolios were shown in an exhibition at LACMA and presented in three rows (X on top, followed by Y in the middle, and Z below) as Mapplethorpe had envisioned them in 1989. "Gardenia" is one of thirteen images from the Y Portfolio, featuring a fragrant and graphic flower. Shot overhead, this tranquil image captures a delicate flower subtly floating in a dark, contrasting bowl. Aside from the flower's shadow below, the still water is nearly inconspicuous, contributing to the air of grace and elegance that this piece evokes. While the depiction is straightforward, Mapplethorpe's contrasts lead to a more ambiguous image; is this actually a flower or some alien specimen being examined? This powerful black and white image is a prime example of Mapplethorpe's work, highlighting his studio-centric practice as well as his refined and meticulous printing. This is a rare opportunity to acquire an iconic work by one of the most influential photographers of the 20th Century. Caviar20 is proud to be offering this monumental and important piece. "Gardenia" USA, 1978 Gelatin silver print Signed in ink by Michael Ward Stout and credited and dated on photographer's estate stamp, mount verso. 13.25"H 12.75"W (image) 16.75"H 16"W (framed) Very good condition Provenance: Xavier Hufkens...
Silver Gelatin