Robert Mapplethorpe's place in the canon was earned from his incredible output of images that ranged from beautiful to brutal, from masculine to fragile.
He fearlessly depicted the body (his own, friends' and lovers') in a way that positioned his work in line with masters such as Courbet, Bas Jan Ader and Marina Abramovic.
Mapplethorpe's images, regardless of subject matter, are both sensual and cerebral, delicate and menacing. Despite the sometimes shocking content of his work, Mapplethorpe's photographs possess a formalist quality and undeniable beauty and composition.
This image is a prime example of Mapplethorpe's work. Mapplethorpe's practice was centered around studio photography and his aesthetic output demonstrated a more refined vision.
Shot in black & white, this work from his A Season in Hell series features a lithe and athletic male nude shot from behind. The untamed hair, taut muscles, and pose appear as if classical statues were reawakening with a yawn before striking a pose.
In 1986, Mapplethorpe was commissioned to create 8 photographs for a new translation of the prose poem A Season in Hell (Un saison en enfer), originally written in 1873 by French poet (1854-1891).
A Season in Hell was Rimbaud's best-known work centered around the idea of passion as suffering. It is widely considered a precursor to modernist literature. Rimbaud often imbued his works with symbolism and surrealism, influencing succeeding literary and visual arts.
Both artists were considered enfant terribles and this collaboration highlighted the many parallels between Mapplethorpe and Rimbaud. Their artistic visions were refined, revolutionary, and influential beyond their years. Despite Catholic upbringings, they eschewed societal norms and bourgeois culture through their queer identities and libertine excesses. Both rebellious spirits were tragically extinguished too soon by disease, Rimbaud of cancer at 37, and Mapplethorpe of AIDS at 42.
Coincidentally in 1986 when Mapplethorpe accepted the commission for this book, he was diagnosed with AIDS, beginning the tragic countdown for his untimely death.
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"Nude"
Photogravure printed with relief roll
USA, 1986
Signed, dated, and editioned by the artist.
Printer's proof 5/5, from an edition of 40
4.5”H 4.5”W (image)
14"H 10.25"W (sheet).
Very good condition. Detailed condition report by request
Note: There is a version of A Season in Hell that is an edition of 1000 examples. This work comes from the edition (of 40) that was hand signed and numbered by Robert Mapplethorpe.
Published by Limited Editions Club, photogravures by Jon Goodman and printed by Wingate Studio, text printed by Wild Carrot Press
