ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE

The author traces the development of Mapplethorpe's use of instant photography over a period of five years, from 1970 to 1975, when the artist worked mainly in this medium. The images include self-portraits/ figure studies/ still lifes/ portraits of lovers and fri ends such as Patti Smith, Sam Wagstaff, and Marianne Faithful/ and observations of everyday objects. Marked by a spontaneity and cre ative curiosity, these fragile images offer an illuminating contrast to the glossy perfection of the work for which Mapplethorpe is best known...[Read more]