Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert Mapplethorpe was born on November 4, 1946, in Floral Park, Queens, New York. He was one of six children in a Roman Catholic family. From a young age, Mapplethorpe showed an aptitude for art, which he later pursued at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where he studied graphic arts. Mapplethorpe would go on to become a critically acclaimed and controversial photographer, known for his striking and often provocative images, particularly in black and white.

In 1977, Robert Mapplethorpe held his first solo exhibition at the Holly Solomon Gallery, marking an important milestone in his career as a photographer. The exhibition showcased his growing body of work which included his now iconic black-and-white photography. This platform gave Mapplethorpe significant visibility in the art world and his striking photographic style began to gain public and critical attention, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary art photography.

In February 1986, Robert Mapplethorpe was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, a condition that would significantly impact both his life and work. At the time, the AIDS epidemic was a major global health crisis, and his diagnosis was a turning point that increased the intensity and urgency of his artistic output. Despite his illness, Mapplethorpe continued to create powerful work, chronicling his journey with the disease and using his platform to raise awareness about AIDS.

In December 1988, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City held a major retrospective of Robert Mapplethorpe’s work. This exhibition was one of the most significant of Mapplethorpe’s career, bringing together a considerable collection of his portraits, flower still-lifes, and figure studies. The retrospective was a powerful showcase of his artistic vision and solidified his status as a pivotal figure in modern photography. It also helped pave the way for future exhibitions exploring complex themes in photography.

Robert Mapplethorpe passed away on March 9, 1989, at the age of 42, due to complications from AIDS. At the time of his death, he was one of the most celebrated photographers known for his provocative work that challenged social norms and explored themes of sexuality, race, and identity. Mapplethorpe's legacy endures through his groundbreaking photography, which continues to be celebrated and studied for its artistic quality and social commentary.

The retrospective exhibition 'The Perfect Moment' opened posthumously in June 1989 at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It showcased some of Mapplethorpe's most well-known and controversial works, including his black-and-white photography that featured homoerotic and explicit content. The exhibition became a focal point for the national debate about public funding for the arts and censorship, as its content sparked protests and heightened the discussion about the role of provocative art in society.

In July 1989, the exhibition 'The Perfect Moment' became embroiled in a national controversy over public funding for the arts. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was caught in a furor due to the explicit content of Mapplethorpe's work, leading to debates in Congress about obscenity and the role of government support in controversial art. This issue highlighted the tensions between freedom of artistic expression and public sensibilities, significantly impacting future NEA funding policies.

On March 22, 2016, the documentary film 'Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures' premiered, offering an unflinching and comprehensive look into the life and work of Robert Mapplethorpe. Directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, the film was the first full-length documentary on the artist since his death. It delves deeply into Mapplethorpe’s artistic journey, personal life, and the controversies surrounding his work. The documentary provides detailed insights into how Mapplethorpe's bold and sometimes contentious work continues to impact the art world.

Beginning on September 24, 2016, a major retrospective of Robert Mapplethorpe's work was held jointly by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the J. Paul Getty Museum. Titled 'Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium', the exhibitions showcased the breadth of Mapplethorpe's career, covering his early Polaroids to his later studio photographs. This coordinated exhibition pattern signified the cultural impact of Mapplethorpe's work and its enduring influence in the discourse around art and photography.

The biopic film 'Mapplethorpe', directed by Ondi Timoner and starring Matt Smith as Robert Mapplethorpe, was released on November 26, 2018. This film marked a cinematic interpretation of Mapplethorpe's life and explored his rise as one of the most compelling figures in photography. It depicted his interactions with famous personalities and his journey through the art world of New York City in the 1970s and 1980s. Through this artistic lens, the biopic offered viewers a dramatized insight into the complexities of his artistic and personal life.