Robert Mapplethorpe, 1946-1989, American
Self-Portrait, 1988, platinum-palladium print. Solomon R. Guggenheim, NY.
The artist’s last self-portrait before his death.
In the three years after his diagnosis of AIDS in 1986, the artist organized the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation to manage his estate, support the medium of photography in arts institutions and fund HIV/AIDS medical research.
Self-portrait, 1974, gelatin silver print in artist’s frame (light degradation). Solomon R. Guggenheim, NY
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NY mounted a year-long exhibition from the 300 photographs and objects which were a bequest from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation in 1993. This was at the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion.
Self-portrait, 1981, gelatin silver print (light degradation).
Solomon R. Guggenheim, NY
The artist’s own works for a half year; his wide influence on the works of others for half a year.
Self-portrait, 1985, platinum-palladium print. Photo from the web.
Solomon R. Guggenheim, NY
The poisonous legacy of the handling of the AIDS crisis has worked its way into the fabric of our polity.
It can be summarized as the well-oiled mechanics of ‘us’ and ‘them’ where the communities in each designation change according to the ‘needs’ of our political classes.
The rich gender attributes which Robert Mapplethorpe chose to express;
his open assumption of his sexual orientation during a time of the deep closet;
the control he exerted over the standards of his work and of its display;
his steadfastness in the debates about the publicization and public funding of his work and that of others;
his preparation for and courage in the face of his death
were and are instrumental in communicating the reality that there is no moral way of being human that is better than or superior to or inferior to any other way of being human.
Clearly, all moral judgments come with the doing.
Let those who have done more to expand the reach and expression of human freedom, of integrity and courage and care for a community
cast the first stone at Robert Mapplethorpe’s magnificent doing. A legacy without price.
His legacy; and the future one of those courageous of his successors on the front lines today fighting the poison.
Self-portrait, 1980, gelatin silver print. Photo from the web.
Solomon R. Guggenheim, NY
<3 <3 <3
I also love his photos with Patti Smith. Thank you for sharing!
Yes and in their own category of his work because they were linked at the heart.
Thank you for bringing this great and brave Artist to our attention!
Before reading your post I only knew him superficially.
His self-portraits are fabulous!