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Robert Mapplethorpe
American • 1946-1989
Biography
After studying drawing, painting and sculpture at the Pratt Institute in the 1960s, Robert Mapplethorpe began experimenting with photography while living in the notorious Chelsea Hotel with Patti Smith. Beginning with Polaroids, he soon moved on to a Hasselblad medium-format camera, which he used to explore aspects of life often only seen behind closed doors.
By the 1980s Mapplethorpe's focus was predominantly in the studio, shooting portraits, flowers and nudes. His depiction of the human form in formal compositions reflects his love of classical sculpture and his groundbreaking marriage of those aesthetics with often challenging subject matter. Mapplethorpe's style is present regardless of subject matter — from erotic nudes to self-portraits and flowers — as he ceaselessly strove for what he called "perfection of form."
Insights
Phillips set the highest price for a self-portrait by Robert Mapplethorpe in 2015 with Self Portrait, 1980, selling for $148,410.
Phillips sponsored the Los Angeles County Museum's landmark 2016 exhibition Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium, which also had a complementary presentation at the J. Paul Getty Museum.
The X, Y and Z Portfolios (1978, 1978 and 1981, respectively) frame Mapplethorpe's artistic oeuvre: X his sadomasochistic imagery, Y floral still lifes and Z nude portraits of African-American men.
The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, set up the year before his death, has raised and donated millions of dollars to fund medical research in the fight against AIDS and HIV infection.
"I am obsessed with beauty. I want everything to be perfect, and of course it isn't. And that's a tough place to be because you're never satisfied."
Recent Robert Mapplethorpe headlines, Powered by Articker
21 September 2021 | Dream Idea Machine
PHOTO:Robert Mapplethorpe-Intérieur Jour16 August 2021 | The Telegraph
Photographer Robert Mapplethorpe inspires a jewellery collection with Gaia Repossi22 July 2021 | Sarasota Magazine
Robert Mapplethorpe Photos, Patti Smith Lyrics Coming to Selby Gardens in February8 July 2021 | Bustle
Patti Smith On Robert Mapplethorpe, 'Horses' & 'Just Kids'13 May 2021 | Wallpaper
Robert Mapplethorpe inspires Repossi’s new high jewellery
Past Lots
211
Robert Mapplethorpe
Lydia Cheng
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $31,500
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216
Robert Mapplethorpe
Ada
Estimate $15,000 - 25,000
Sold for $12,600
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217
Robert Mapplethorpe
Maybelle
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $11,340
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218
Robert Mapplethorpe
Orchids
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $27,720
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219
Robert Mapplethorpe
Tulips
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $23,940
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47
Robert Mapplethorpe
Joe, NYC
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $8,190
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115
Robert Mapplethorpe
Lisa Lyon
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000
Sold for £6,300
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48
Robert Mapplethorpe
Raymond
Estimate £7,000 - 9,000
Sold for £7,560
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182
Robert Mapplethorpe
Irises
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $56,700
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183
Robert Mapplethorpe
Orchid
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $39,060
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184
Robert Mapplethorpe
Hyacinth
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $40,320
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187
Robert Mapplethorpe
Ken and Lydia
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $31,500
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188
Robert Mapplethorpe
Ken Moody
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $37,800
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220
Robert Mapplethorpe
Untitled #3; and Untitled #5, from the Ken Moody Portfolio
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $4,788
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47
Robert Mapplethorpe
Holly Solomon (Three Portraits)
Estimate $100,000 - 200,000
Sold for $125,000
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48
Robert Mapplethorpe
Irises
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $30,000
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49
Robert Mapplethorpe
Anthurium
Estimate $15,000 - 25,000
Sold for $18,750
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51
Robert Mapplethorpe
Roses
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
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36No Reserve
Robert Mapplethorpe
Green Amaryllis from Flowers
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000
Sold for £10,000
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37
Robert Mapplethorpe
Hyacinth
Estimate £15,000 - 20,000
Sold for £25,000
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38
Robert Mapplethorpe
Hermes
Estimate £40,000 - 60,000
Sold for £40,000
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110
Robert Mapplethorpe
Orchids
Estimate $15,000 - 25,000
Sold for $21,250
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111
Robert Mapplethorpe
Gardenia
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $5,000
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115
Robert Mapplethorpe
Carnation, N.Y.C.
Estimate $1,500 - 2,500
Sold for $4,750
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