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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
13 May 2021 | Wallpaper
Robert Mapplethorpe inspires Repossi’s new high jewellery21 April 2021 | Dream Idea Machine
PHOTO:Robert Mapplethorpe,Part II14 April 2021 | Artforum
Robert Mapplethorpe at Gladstone Gallery | West 24th St29 March 2021 | AnOther Magazine
Inside a New Robert Mapplethorpe Exhibition Curated by Arthur Jafa24 March 2021 | Musée Magazine
Exhibition Review: Robert Mapplethorpe Curated by Arthur Jafa At Gladstone
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Raymond
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Past Lots
Robert Mapplethorpe
Irises
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $56,700
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Orchid
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Sold for $39,060
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Hyacinth
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Ken and Lydia
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $31,500
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Ken Moody
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Sold for $37,800
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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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Robert Mapplethorpe
Holly Solomon (Three Portraits)
Estimate $100,000 - 200,000
Sold for $125,000
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Irises
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Anthurium
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Sold for $18,750
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Roses
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No Reserve
Robert Mapplethorpe
Green Amaryllis from Flowers
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Hyacinth
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Hermes
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Orchids
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Gardenia
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Carnation, N.Y.C.
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Thomas
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Lisa Lyon
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Calla Lily
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Sold for $43,750
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Flowers 3, from Flowers
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Skull
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Flowers, 5
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Flowers (Green Amarylis)
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Robert Mapplethorpe
Brice Marden
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