Robert Mapplethorpe, who died of Aids in 1989 at the age of 42, is one of the most famous contemporary photographer of the United States. Especially known for his nude photographs with homoerotic motifs, he caused sensation that escalated into a surge of indignation, but also lead to a reflection on censorship.
During the eighties, the "Flowers" gained great importance within his OEuvre. Today, his flower photographs, for example the "Cally Lily's" obtained the highest bids amongst all his motifs on International auctions. He was able to integrate the flower photography into Modern Art without getting the slightest reproach of kitsch.
Even in his floral motifs, one can see Mapplethorpe's priority subject: sexuality stylized to still life. Formally, they show an absolute clearness of composition and in the same way an erotic intensity. The flowers do not appear in their usual innocent symbolism. The nude photographs are sublimated by the idea of beauty that shines through all of them. The flower photographs on the other hand 'portray' an uncanny aura which is the result of the analogy to human body parts and the erotic effect related to this representation.
Biographie:
1989 Died from AIDS
1972 Becomes aquainted with Sam Wagstaft
1971 Begins photographic work
1969 Account Executive with Andy Warhol's Factory
1967 Befriends Patti Smith
1963-69 BFA, Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY
1946 Born Queens, NY
