Robert Mapplethorpe Black and White Photography
American, 1946-1989
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)
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Artist: Robert Mapplethorpe
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.
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1980s Post-Modern Robert Mapplethorpe Black and White Photography
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Mapplethorpe "Cock & Devil" 1982 Gelatin Silver Print 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...
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Mapplethorpe Z Portfolio, Dan S 1980 Male Nude Unique Gelatin Silver Print Photo
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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...
Category
1980s Modern Robert Mapplethorpe Black and White Photography
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William S Burroughs, by Robert Mapplethorpe
By Robert Mapplethorpe
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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.
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Bill T. Jones
By Robert Mapplethorpe
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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...
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1980s Contemporary Robert Mapplethorpe Black and White Photography
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Self Portrait #1, Nude Self Portrait by Robert Mapplethorpe c. 1970
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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...
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1970s American Modern Robert Mapplethorpe Black and White Photography
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Polaroid
Patti Smith Horses vinyl 1st Pressing (Robert Mapplethorpe Patti Smith)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
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Produced by John Cale.
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Patti Smith Horses vinyl 1st Pressing (Robert Mapplethorpe Patti Smith)
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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...
Category
1970s American Modern Robert Mapplethorpe Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
LEIGH LEE / THE Z PORTFOLIO
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Mapplethorpe's place in the canon was earned 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 an important element of fine art.
He fearlessly depicted the body (his own, friends' and lovers') in a way that positioned his work in line with masters such as Courbet, Bas Jan Ader...
Category
1980s American Modern Robert Mapplethorpe Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Patti Smith Horses vinyl 1st Pressing (Robert Mapplethorpe Patti Smith)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
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Robert Mapplethorpe black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Robert Mapplethorpe black and white photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Robert Mapplethorpe in silver gelatin print, film, offset print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Robert Mapplethorpe black and white photography, so small editions measuring 4 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Eve Arnold, Barbara Morgan, and Weegee. Robert Mapplethorpe black and white photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $45,000, while the average work can sell for $11,400.
Artists Similar to Robert Mapplethorpe
Questions About Robert Mapplethorpe Black and White Photography
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Robert Mapplethorpe was known for his dramatic black and white photography. The American photographer's nude portraits, self-portraits and scenes from New York City's S&M clubs are particularly famous. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of Robert Mapplethorpe photographic art.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024You can see Robert Mapplethorpe art in a number of museums. His work is in the collections of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, California; the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia; the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, New York; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, New York; the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California; the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, UK; and many other institutions. In addition, museums frequently feature his work in special exhibitions. Check the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation website for a list of upcoming exhibits. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Robert Mapplethorpe art.