Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert Mapplethorpe was an American photographer known for his striking black-and-white images, including portraits, flowers, and controversial depictions of queer subcultures. Born in Queens in 1946, he studied at Pratt Institute and rose to prominence in the 1970s and '80s. His work, marked by formal beauty and provocative content, challenged social norms and censorship, particularly with his 1989 exhibition The Perfect Moment. Mapplethorpe remains a key figure in the history of photography and LGBTQ+ art.