A fascinating look at one of photography's most controversial and beloved
iconsThe legacy of Robert Mapplethorpe (1946–1989) is rich and complicated,
triggering controversy, polarizing critics, and providing inspiration for many
artists who followed him. One of the most influential figures of his time, today
Mapplethorpe stands as an example to emerging photographers who continue to
experiment with the boundaries of acceptability and concepts of the
beautiful.Robert Mapplethorpe: The Photographs offers a timely and rewarding
examination of his oeuvre and influence. Drawing from the extraordinary
collection jointly acquired in 2011 by the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Los
Angeles County Museum of Art from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, as well as
the Mapplethorpe Archive housed at the Getty Research Institute, the authors
were given the unique opportunity to explore new resources and present fresh
perspectives. The result is a fascinating introduction to
Mapplethorpe's career and legacy, accompanied by a rich selection of
illustrations covering the remarkable range of his photographic work.All of
these beautifully integrated elements contribute to what promises to become an
essential point of access to Mapplethorpe's work and practice.
This publication is issued on the occasion of the exhibition Robert
Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium on view at both the J. Paul Getty Museum and at
the Los Angeles County Museum of Art from March 15 through July 31, 2016; at
the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Montreal from September 9, 2016, through January 7,
2017; and at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, from October
2017 through February 2018.
..“.an indispensable publication of lasting significance…”–ARTFIXdaily
“Authoritative and indispensable.”–Bay Area Reporter, Best LGBTQ Nonfiction 0f 2016
Author Biography
Paul Martineau is associate curator in the Department of Photographs at the J.
Paul Getty Museum. Britt Salvesen is curator and head of the Wallis Annenberg
Photography Department and the Prints and Drawings Department at the Los Angeles
County Museum of Art.
