Robert Michael Mapplethorpe (1946 - 1989)

Born 4 Nov 1946 in Floral Park, Hempstead, Nassau, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died 9 Mar 1989 at age 42 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

Robert Mapplethorpe is Notable.

"A renowned photographer, he was one of the most controversial and influential artists of his time. He began his career as a collage designer and a staff Photographer for Andy Warhol's magazine, "Interview." Turning to full-time photography, he had his first major shows in 1977 at the Holly Solomon Gallery and the Kitchen, both in New York City, New York. "^[1]

"Throughout his career, he would gain popular acclaim for his portraits, including three album covers for rock star and one-time roommate Patti Smith. He would simultaneously gain wide notoriety for his controversial homoerotic work, much of it featuring sadomasochistic themes. Diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1986, he succumbed to the disease in 1989."^[2]

Robert was born 4 November 1946 in Floral Park, New York. ^[3]He was the son of Henry Mapplethorpe and Joan Maxey.^[4] Robert's ancestry was one-half German, one-quarter English, and one-quarter Irish.

Robert never married, nor did he have any children.

He passed away 9 March 1989 in Boston, Massachusetts at the age of 42.^[5]

Obituary:^[6]

Avant-garde photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, considered among the most prominent young artists in his field, died in a hospital here Thursday at age 42.

Friends say Mr. Mapplethorpe, a New York City resident, was an AIDS victim. Deaconess Hospital refused to release any information on the cause of death.

Mr. Mapplethorpe, whose work ran largely along homosexual themes, was best known for his startling photos of sadomasochism and his depiction of athletic male nudes. He also specialized in snapping celebrities.

His favorite medium was black and white photography, but he also experimented with color. Most of his work, whether of people or objects, is presented as if they were pieces of sculpture.

"I want to get a picture that is the way I want to remember someone. It's like a diary in the end," Mr. Mapplethorpe once said. "My work is about order. I am a perfectionist."

A retrospective exhibition of 150 of his photographs, "Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Moment," is on display through April 9 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 237 E. Ontario, in Chicago.

Another show of approximately 35 of Mr. Mapplethorpe's works will open March 18 and run through April 22 at the Betsy Rosenfield Gallery, 212 W. Superior.

Chicago is the second leg of a five-day U.S. tour that began in Philadelphia. One major retrospective of Mr. Mapplethorpe's works was shown recently at the Whitney Museum in New York.

He emerged in the mid-1970s as part of an offbeat culture that included longtime friend, rock singer Patti Smith. He worked in several media, including collage and film.

At least four books on his works have been published.

Sources

1. ↑ Biography by Stuthehistoryguy. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7477198/robert-mapplethorpe: accessed 23 January 2023), memorial page for Robert Mapplethorpe (4 Nov 1946–9 Mar 1989), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7477198, citing Saint John Cemetery and Mausoleum, Middle Village, Queens County, New York, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.
2. ↑ Biography by Stuthehistoryguy. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7477198/robert-mapplethorpe: accessed 23 January 2023), memorial page for Robert Mapplethorpe (4 Nov 1946–9 Mar 1989), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7477198, citing Saint John Cemetery and Mausoleum, Middle Village, Queens County, New York, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.
3. ↑ New York, New York, U.S., Birth Index, 1910-1965. Name Robert Mapplethorpe Birth Date 4 Nov 1946 Birth Place Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA Certificate Number 16357.
4. ↑ Robert Mapplethorp, "United States 1950 Census". Household Role Sex Age Birthplace Harry S Mapplethorp Head Male 31 years New York Joan Mapplethorp Wife Female 29 years New York Nancy Mapplethorp Daughter Female 7 years New York Richard Mapplethorp Son Male 5 years New York Robert Mapplethorp Son Male 3 years New York Susan Mapplethorp Daughter Female.
5. ↑ "Massachusetts Death Index, 1970-2003", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ5T-V13 : 13 June 2019), Robert M Mapplethorpe, 1989.
6. ↑ Chicago Sun-Times (Illinois) 10 March 1989, obit for Avant-garde photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, 42, GenealogyBank.com (https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/0F93FF4073E9C42C : accessed 24 January 2023).