Robert Mapplethorpe was an American photographer known for his controversial and provocative images that explored themes of sexuality, gender, race, and the human form. He was born on November 4, 1946, in Floral Park, New York, and studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Mapplethorpe gained notoriety in the 1980s for his black-and-white photographs of nude male and female bodies, BDSM scenes, and other taboo subjects. His work often sparked debates about censorship and obscenity, and in 1989, his retrospective exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., became the focus of a political controversy when conservative politicians objected to the inclusion of some of his more explicit photographs. Despite the controversy surrounding his work, Mapplethorpe is widely considered to be one of the most important and influential photographers of the 20th century. His legacy continues to influence contemporary art and photography, and his photographs are held in the collections of major museums around the world. Mapplethorpe died on March 9, 1989, at the age of 42 from complications related to AIDS.
Measures 9.5 x 9.49
Printed circa 1980s
Verso is blank.
Mounted to archival quality paper.

Good condition. No rips, tears, creases.