Robert Mapplethorpe was an American 20th Century photographer best known for his portraits of the LGBTQ community in New York City, predominantly featuring bondage, nudes, and erotic art photography. Mapplethorpe photographed his only female lover, poet Patti Smith. After their relationship, he began photographing other gay men in New York City. He spent most of his money creating Polaroid images. These photographs caught the eye of art dealers, allowing Mapplethorpe to earn a living from his photography.
Robert Mapplethorpe biographical summary
Born: 1946, New York
Education: Pratt Institute B.F.A. program (did not graduate)
Died: 1989, New York