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Mapplethorpe: A Biography by Patricia Morrisroe

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Robert Mapplethorpe was one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. His work is known for its beauty, its eroticism, and its unflinching gaze at the human body.

Mapplethorpe: A Biography by Patricia Morrisroe is the first comprehensive biography of the artist. This book draws on extensive research, including interviews with Mapplethorpe's friends, family, and colleagues. Morrisroe paints a vivid portrait of the artist, from his early years in Queens, New York, to his rise to fame in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mapplethorpe: A Biography

by Patricia Morrisroe

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	991 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	424 pages

Morrisroe also explores Mapplethorpe's controversial work. Mapplethorpe's photographs often depicted nudity, sadomasochism, and other taboo subjects. His work was often criticized for being pornographic and offensive. However, Mapplethorpe defended his work, arguing that it was art, not pornography.

Mapplethorpe: A Biography is a fascinating and insightful look at the life and work of one of the most important artists of the 20th century. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in photography, art, or biography.

Early Life and Work

Robert Mapplethorpe was born in Queens, New York, in 1946. He was the eldest of six children. His father was a plumber, and his mother was a housewife. Mapplethorpe's parents were devout Catholics, and they raised their children in a strict religious environment.

Mapplethorpe began taking photographs at a young age. He was drawn to the medium's ability to capture the beauty of the human body. Mapplethorpe's early work was influenced by the work of photographers such as Edward Weston and Diane Arbus.

In 1967, Mapplethorpe enrolled at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He studied photography for two years, but he dropped out before graduating. Mapplethorpe felt that he was not getting enough out of his classes, and he was eager to start his own career.

After dropping out of Pratt, Mapplethorpe began working as a freelance photographer. He shot portraits of friends and acquaintances, and he also experimented with more conceptual work. In 1970, Mapplethorpe had his first solo exhibition at the Light Gallery in New York City.

Rise to Fame

Mapplethorpe's work began to gain attention in the early 1970s. His photographs were featured in several magazines, including Interview and Vogue. In 1975, Mapplethorpe had his first major museum exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Mapplethorpe's work was controversial from the start. His photographs often depicted nudity, sadomasochism, and other taboo subjects. However, Mapplethorpe defended his work, arguing that it was art, not pornography.

In the 1980s, Mapplethorpe's work became even more controversial. In 1989, the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., canceled an exhibition of Mapplethorpe's work after pressure from conservative groups.

The cancellation of the Corcoran exhibition led to a public outcry. Mapplethorpe's supporters argued that the cancellation was an act of censorship. The controversy surrounding the Corcoran exhibition helped to raise Mapplethorpe's profile, and he became one of the most famous artists of the 1980s.

Death and Legacy

Mapplethorpe died of AIDS in 1989. He was 42 years old. Mapplethorpe's death was a major loss to the art world. He was one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, and his work continues to be celebrated today.

Mapplethorpe's work is held in the collections of major museums around the world. His work has been the subject of numerous books and exhibitions. Mapplethorpe's legacy is as a major figure in the history of photography.

Mapplethorpe: A Biography by Patricia Morrisroe is a fascinating and insightful look at the life and work of one of the most important artists of the 20th century. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in photography, art, or biography.

Mapplethorpe: A Biography

by Patricia Morrisroe

4.3 out of 5