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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."

Past Lots

206
Robert Mapplethorpe
Carnations
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $21,590
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207
Robert Mapplethorpe
Orchid
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $12,700
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216
Robert Mapplethorpe
Iggy Pop
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $12,700
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217
Robert Mapplethorpe
Ed Ruscha
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $10,160
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220
Robert Mapplethorpe
Lydia
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $48,260
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221
Robert Mapplethorpe
Lisa Lyon
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $8,890
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55
Robert Mapplethorpe
Ken Moody
Estimate £15,000 - 25,000
Sold for £33,020
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58
Robert Mapplethorpe
Roses
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000
Sold for £27,940
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140
Robert Mapplethorpe
Hyacinth
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $27,940
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141
Robert Mapplethorpe
Ken Moody
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $35,560
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154
Robert Mapplethorpe
Tulips
Estimate $55,000 - 75,000
Sold for $57,150
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155
Robert Mapplethorpe
Lily
Estimate $18,000 - 22,000
Sold for $24,130
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159
Robert Mapplethorpe
Larry
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $11,430
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14
Robert Mapplethorpe
Waves
Price On Request
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28No Reserve
Robert Mapplethorpe
Lisa Lyon
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000
Sold for £3,302
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132
Robert Mapplethorpe
Lisa Marie / Breasts
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000
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133
Robert Mapplethorpe
Lisa Lyon
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000
Sold for £20,320
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134
Robert Mapplethorpe
Lisa Lyon
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000
Sold for £12,065
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135
Robert Mapplethorpe
Flower
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000
Sold for £12,700
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136
Robert Mapplethorpe
Irises
Estimate £15,000 - 25,000
Sold for £38,100
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151
Robert Mapplethorpe
Deborah Harry
Estimate £10,000 - 15,000
Sold for £35,560
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43
Robert Mapplethorpe
Frank Diaz
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000
Sold for £6,350
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49
Robert Mapplethorpe
Thomas
Estimate £12,000 - 18,000
Sold for £27,940
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15
Robert Mapplethorpe
Flower
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $60,960
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