Robert Mapplethorpe: The Photographs

This fascinating collection of Robert Mapplethorpe's photographs contains over 250 striking images -- from florals to portraits from nudes to still lifes, as well as images from his controversial X Portfolio "...an indispensable publication of lasting significance..."--ARTFIXdaily "Authoritative and indispensable."--Bay Area Reporter The legacy of Robert Mapplethorpe (1946 -1989) is rich and complicated, triggering controversy, polarizing critics, and providing inspiration for many artists who followed him. Mapplethorpe taught himself about the history of art, how to run a studio, how to network, and how to keep the public interested in him. At the same time, he honed a distinctive individual vision based on craftsmanship and an aesthetic of classical grace. One of the most influential figures of his time, today Mapplethorpe stands as an example to emerging photographers who continue to test boundaries and concepts of the beautiful. Robert Mapplethorpe: The Photographs offers a timely