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.
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(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
$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
$3,819
H 16 in W 20 in D 0.1 in
Pousada dos Buzios, 1975 - Limited Edition Slim Aarons Estate Stamped C-Type
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Pousada dos Buzios, 1975 by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. 'Pousada dos Buzios' is a Limited Edition Estate Stamped Digital C-Type print by 20th Century American photographer Slim Aarons. Friends and acquaintances lying by the swimming pool at Pousada dos Buzios in Brazil are photographed by Slim Aarons. The man pictured is Italian restaurateur Stefano Monti. Just east of Rio de Janiero city is Buzios, formerly a quiet little fishing village and since the 1960s a bustling, animated, and absolutely upscale seaside resort, littered with fine restaurants, boutiques, and posh pousadas. Pictured here is one such pousada. Also found in Portugal, pousadas offer a blend between luxury hotel and intimate family-run inn. Slim Aarons also photographed "Buzios" which is available in the gallery. Both "Pousada dos Buzios" and "Buzios" were taken in the same place, but spaced years apart. Both 'Buzios' and 'Pousada dos Buzios' were taken in this location. The similarities between 'Buzios' and 'Pousada dos Buzios' are most evident in the subjects: the female sunbather wearing a black and white swimsuit with the straw sunhat appears to be in both scenes, and the female sunbather with short hair wearing the leopard print bikini appears similarly in both scenes. This image from August 1975...
Photographic Paper, Color, C Print, Digital
$250
H 7.49 in W 9.49 in
Lou Jacobs World Famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown
Located in Middletown, NY
Gelatin silver print mounted on board, 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (241 x 190 mm) from the Roland Butler Collection, Press Agent, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1930s-1960s) Ro...
Photographic Paper
$250
H 7.49 in W 9.49 in
Turn of the century parade Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Located in Middletown, NY
Gelatin silver print, 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 Butler Collectio...
Photographic Paper
$3,819
H 12 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
Keep Your Cool by Slim Aarons - Signed 16" x 20" Estate Stamped C-Type Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Keep Your Cool - Backgammon Players Swimming Pool France by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. Keep Your Cool is a Lim...
Photographic Paper, Digital, C Print, Color
Elephant Long Mount Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
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
$400
H 9.49 in W 7.49 in
M’Toto – Famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Gorilla
Located in Middletown, NY
Animals have always played a big role in the circus; elephants, tigers, lions. But decades ago the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus wowed their crowds with gorillas. On...
Photographic Paper
$3,819
H 16 in W 20 in D 0.1 in
Daddy Bear - Slim Aarons Estate Stamped Limited Edition C-Type Photograph Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Daddy Bear by Slim Aarons 16" x 16" print on 16" x 20" paper. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. "Daddy Bear" is a Limit...
Photographic Paper, Color, C Print, Digital
RBB&B Circus show Girl on Elephant – original photograph, 1950s
Located in Middletown, NY
Photo by W. E. Windsor Gelatin silver print, 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) ...
Photographic Paper
Early 1900's Circus Street Parade
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
$250
H 9.49 in W 7.49 in
Lou Jacobs Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown with Giraffe
Located in Middletown, NY
Gelatin silver print mounted on board, 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (241 x 190 mm) from the Roland Butler Collection, Press Agent, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1930s-1960s) Roland...
Photographic Paper
$3,819
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.1 in
Coconut Fruit Cocktail - Limited Edition Slim Aarons Estate Stamped C-Type Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Coconut Fruit Cocktail by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. "Fruit Cocktail" is a beaut...
Photographic Paper, Color, C Print, Digital
Sold
H 9.8 in W 7.8 in
William S. Burroughs (Iconic, Stamped, Naked Lunch, Beat Generation, 30% OFF)
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
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
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
William S. Burroughs (Stamped)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Kansas City, MO
FLASH SALE until 8/8/21 Robert Mapplethorpe William S. Burroughs Photograph Year: 1982 Size: 9.8 × 7.8 inches Stamped verso Gallery COA provided Robert Mapplethorpe was born Novem...
C Print
William S. Burroughs (Stamped)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Kansas City, MO
FLASH SALE until 8/8/21 Robert Mapplethorpe William S. Burroughs Photograph Year: 1982 Size: 9.8 × 7.8 inches Stamped verso Gallery COA provided Robert Mapplethorpe was born Novem...
C Print
Sold
H 9.8 in W 7.8 in
William S. Burroughs (Stamped) - FLASH SALE until 8/8/21
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Kansas City, MO
FLASH SALE until 8/8/21 Robert Mapplethorpe William S. Burroughs Photograph Year: 1982 Size: 9.8 × 7.8 inches Stamped verso Gallery COA provided Robert Mapplethorpe was born Novem...
C Print
William S. Burroughs (Stamped)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Kansas City, MO
Robert Mapplethorpe William S. Burroughs Photograph Year: 1982 Size: 9.8 × 7.8 inches Stamped verso COA provided Robert Mapplethorpe was born November 4, 1946, in Floral Park, New ...
C Print
William S. Burroughs (Stamped)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Kansas City, MO
Robert Mapplethorpe William S. Burroughs Photograph Year: 1982 Size: 9.8 × 7.8 inches Stamped verso COA provided Robert Mapplethorpe was born November 4, 1946, in Floral Park, New ...
C Print
William S. Burroughs (Stamped)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Kansas City, MO
Robert Mapplethorpe William S. Burroughs Photograph Year: 1982 Size: 9.8 × 7.8 inches Stamped verso COA provided Robert Mapplethorpe was born November 4, 1946, in Floral Park, New ...
Pigment
William S. Burroughs
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 COA provided Robert Mapplethorpe was born November 4, 1946...
Pigment
William S. Burroughs
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 COA provided Robert Mapplethorpe was born November 4, 1946...
Pigment
William S. Burroughs
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 COA provided Robert Mapplethorpe was born November 4, 1946...
Pigment