Robert Mapplethorpe

[justaguy]

I recently read Patti Smith's Just Kids, an account of her relationship with Mapplethorpe. I was unaware of that relationship until I read the book. I've collected some of Mapplethorpe's work. It is amazing.

[justaguy]

From an interview given jointly by Mapplethorpe and Smith:

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141157312/1/tumblr_lg6unik82y1qfq98n

[justaguy]

Self-portraits [1]

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141153860/1/tumblr_lg6umvQ7xV1qfq98n

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141152524/1/tumblr_lg6umnusBq1qfq98n

 

 

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6umf08Xm1qfq98no1_400.jpg

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141149737/1/tumblr_lg6um5v3vZ1qfq98n

[justaguy]

Portaits of Patti Smith

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141146516/1/tumblr_lg6uli9pIU1qfq98n

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141145199/1/tumblr_lg6ul9dKGB1qfq98n

 

 

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6ul1b1zX1qfq98no1_500.jpg

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141142710/1/tumblr_lg6ukqQsgt1qfq98n

[justaguy]

Callas

 

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6uk9Q36H1qfq98no1_500.jpg

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141138464/1/tumblr_lg6ujy3eSP1qfq98n

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141136981/1/tumblr_lg6ujqr32J1qfq98n

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141135848/1/tumblr_lg6ujhg4dE1qfq98n

[justaguy]

Conceptualizing Space

 

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6uiweblT1qfq98no1_500.jpg

 

 

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6uipK4VP1qfq98no1_500.jpg

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141130344/1/tumblr_lg6uihSW7q1qfq98n

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141128958/1/tumblr_lg6ui6z91i1qfq98n

[justaguy]

Male Nudes [1]

 

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6uhnUKpf1qfq98no1_400.jpg

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141124569/1/tumblr_lg6uhcOj2g1qfq98n

 

 

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6uh46MLb1qfq98no1_500.jpg

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141121961/1/tumblr_lg6uguecCX1qfq98n

[justaguy]

Male Nudes [2]

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141118050/1/tumblr_lg6ug1EkDk1qfq98n

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141115934/1/tumblr_lg6ufo1xEg1qfq98n

 

 

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6ufgsm1y1qfq98no1_500.jpg

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141112702/1/tumblr_lg6uf2kqfv1qfq98n

[justaguy]

Self-portarit [2]

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141108277/1/tumblr_lg6ue8S00P1qfq98n

[justaguy]

Self-portaits [3]

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141106437/1/tumblr_lg6uduQCuY1qfq98n

 

 

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6u76Bodt1qfq98no1_400.png

 

 

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6u6yZyVb1qfq98no1_400.png

 

 

http://imaginations-in-the-flesh.tumblr.com/photo/1280/3141066578/1/tumblr_lg6u6oDF951qfq98n

[adriano46]

JAG - this posting brought back so many memories. How I used to sneak peaks at Mapplethorpe's photos, and revel in those amazing studies of lilies (so erotic - I cannot look at a Calla Lily even today without a little arousal!!); and those photos of the black dancer -- I masturbated for hours to those photos as a very young guy.

[Diverdan]

JAG.... thanks for this incredible post. I had forgotten about the incredible influence Mapplethorpe had on photography, the visualization of the male nude and the controversy surrounding his work until recently. Your post brings back so many memories.

[ChiTown]

JAG . . . thanks for sharing. Mapplethorpe was certainly a very controversial artist for his time. Some amazing photos that are indeed works of art IMHO.

[Terpmaniac]

I will never forget about 10 years ago. I had a friend visiting me in Baltimore and since I live right across the street from the Walters Art Gallery, we decided to check out the museum one Sunday afternoon. We were going from exhibit to exhibit when we came upon a room that simply said MAPPLETHORPE at the top of the entrance. We looked at each other thinking the same thing.."oh God, not THAT Mapplethorpe." In we walked to find portrait after portrait of big, black, dicks falling out of the pants of big, black men! We proceeded to go from one end of the room to the next with our mouths open and tongues hanging out! In walks this elderly white couple who were not the least bit shocked nor surprised at the portraits on the wall and thought the photography was outstanding but not bothered by the content at all.

[Epigonos]

As I have mention on other threads I taught photography for twenty plus years. Teaching in a public high school in conservative Orange County certainly never allowed me to present Mapplethorpe's photographs to students. However, living where I do, has fortunately afforded me the opportunity to visit several Mapplethorpe exhibits. I have always found his work, erotic or non-erotic, either gorgeous or grotesque. I have never reacted neutrally to any of his photographs. I either love them or I hate them.

 

Thus I find the following photograph gorgeous:

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6u76Bodt1qfq98no1_400.png

 

And I find the following photograph grotesque:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6u6oDF951qfq98no1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0RYTHV9YYQ4W5Q3HQMG2&Expires=1297101179&Signature=5UMJ192dtBqhV3JjDKDf5W13axU%3D

[+ Axiom2001]

As I have mention on other threads I taught photography for twenty plus years. Teaching in a public high school in conservative Orange County certainly never allowed me to present Mapplethorpe's photographs to students. However, living where I do, has fortunately afforded me the opportunity to visit several Mapplethorpe exhibits. I have always found his work, erotic or non-erotic, either gorgeous or grotesque. I have never reacted neutrally to any of his photographs. I either love them or I hate them.

 

Thus I find the following photograph gorgeous:

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6u76Bodt1qfq98no1_400.png

 

And I find the following photograph grotesque:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg6u6oDF951qfq98no1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0RYTHV9YYQ4W5Q3HQMG2&Expires=1297101179&Signature=5UMJ192dtBqhV3JjDKDf5W13axU%3D

 

...saw Robert Mapplethorpe's exhibition when it toured a few years back and appreciated his photography work and varying subjects immensely.

 

I have two framed photos of two of his famous nudes and like both of what appear here, especially the latter of the two although I would NOT like to be the recipient of that bull whip!

[justaguy]

Wow. I didn't think this post would get much of a reaction at all. Your stories add to my appreciation of his work, so thanks.

[Rod Hagen]

On my living room wall is a beautiful Mapplethorpe given to me by a beautiful man. Where do I find/buy additional lithographs to frame and hang?

[Guest BrandonWilliams]

This article just appeared in the NYT. http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/lacma-and-getty-trust-acquire-huge-collection-of-mapplethorpe-works-and-letters/?hp

[CowboyUp]

Mapplethorpe & Smith--two very fine artists. Many sublime memories. Thanks for sharing.

[Diverdan]

Epiginos, the second link that you posted does not work... it says "access denied" on my computer, but maybe it is my settings. Thanks for the other one, which I also love and agree that it is gorgeous. Thanks to Brandon for the post on the NYT article. I had not seen that before, so now there will be other reasons to head to LA and the Getty!

[justaguy]

Rod, as I was putting together the set I ran across some galleries. I'd post links but didn't save them.

[justaguy]

DD, the "whip" pic is the last one in the set I posted.

[Rod Hagen]

Rod, as I was putting together the set I ran across some galleries. I'd post links but didn't save them.

 

Would be grateful if you pulled them from your browser history.

[Guest Spanky]

Would be grateful if you pulled them from your browser history.

 

Rod I found this online. List of galleries at the end. Hope it helps you.

 

http://www.mapplethorpe.org/faq/