Pictures

Pictures by Robert Mapplethorpe is a photography book published in 1999 featuring a collection of black and white photographs taken between 1973 and 1989. The book contains portraits, nudes, flowers, and still life images that showcase Mapplethorpe's distinct visual style and technical precision. The photographs are arranged non-chronologically and include both his well-known works and lesser-seen images. Subjects range from celebrities like Patti Smith and Andy Warhol to classical flower studies and figure compositions. The book presents Mapplethorpe's focus on form, light, and geometry through his lens choices and studio techniques. These elements appear consistently across his diverse subject matter, from portraiture to still life. This collection captures Mapplethorpe's exploration of beauty, sexuality, and classical aesthetics in late 20th century photography. The images reflect his interest in pushing boundaries while maintaining rigorous formal composition.

Readers noted the high print quality and curation of Mapplethorpe's black and white photographs in this collection. Many pointed to the dynamic range and crisp details that showcase his technical skills. Likes: - Diverse subject matter from flowers to portraits to nudes - Clean, classical composition style - Historical significance documenting NYC art/music scene - Quality paper and binding Dislikes: - Some found the BDSM and explicit sexual content disturbing - High price point ($100+ for hardcover) - Limited context/background about the photos - Some images feel dated or provocative for shock value Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (219 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (31 reviews) "The technical perfection combined with raw subject matter creates unsettling tension," noted one Amazon reviewer. Multiple Goodreads users praised the "stark beauty" but warned about graphic content. Several reviews mentioned buying used copies due to the cost of new editions.

The Black Book by Greg Gorman A collection of black and white male nudes and portraits that explores similar themes of classical form and sexuality in 1980s art photography.

Peter Hujar: Speed of Life by Peter Hujar A chronicle of New York's underground art scene through intimate portraits and nudes, captured by Mapplethorpe's contemporary and fellow documentarian of LGBTQ culture.

Irving Penn: Centennial by Maria Morris Hambourg, Jeff L. Rosenheim This comprehensive collection presents stark, minimalist portraits and still lifes that share Mapplethorpe's precision in composition and lighting techniques.

George Platt Lynes: The Male Nudes by Steven Haas and George Platt Lynes The photographer's previously suppressed work of male figure studies demonstrates the same classical aesthetics and exploration of form that influenced Mapplethorpe's style.

Diane Arbus: An Aperture Monograph by Diane Arbus These raw portraits of marginalized individuals and subcultures in New York City parallel Mapplethorpe's documentation of alternative lifestyles in the same era.

📸 This collection features 200 of Mapplethorpe's most iconic black and white photographs, selected by the artist himself before his death in 1989. 🖼️ Released posthumously in 1992, the book represents Mapplethorpe's final statement on his life's work, including his famous portraits, flowers, and figure studies. 👥 Several notable personalities appear in the collection, including Andy Warhol, Deborah Harry, Richard Gere, and Patti Smith, who was both Mapplethorpe's closest friend and frequent subject. 🎭 The book's publication coincided with a major retrospective of Mapplethorpe's work at the Whitney Museum of American Art, helping cement his legacy in American photography. 🏛️ Many photographs from this collection are now part of permanent exhibitions at major institutions, including the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.