Robert Mapplethorpe Quotes on Photography

Robert Mapplethorpe was a famous American photographer. He is best known for his photographs of nudes, still life, erotica and celebrity portraits. Famous Robert Mapplethorpe photographs include “Orchid”, “Lily”, “Patti Smith”, “Iggy Pop”, “William Burroughs”, “Marianne Faithfull”, “Lisa Lyon”, “Francesco Clemente”, “Truman Capote” and “The Black Book”.

Mini biography: Born Robert Michael Mapplethorpe on the 4th of November, 1946 in Floral Park, New York, United States of America. His mother was Joan Dorothy Maxey and his father Harry Irving Mapplethorpe was an electrical engineer. Robert Mapplethorpe was bi-sexual and one of his early relationships was with the singer Patti Smith. The artist died from HIV/AIDS complications on the 9th of March, 1989 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. at the age of 42. Mapplethorpe is buried at the St. John Cemetery, Middle Village, Queens County, New York, United States.

List of Famous Robert Mapplethorpe Photography Quotes

I come from suburban America. It was a very safe environment, and it was a good place to come from in that it was a good place to leave. Robert Mapplethorpe

I was a Catholic boy, I went to church every Sunday. A church has a certain magic and mystery for a child. It still shows in how I arrange things. It’s always little altars. Robert Mapplethorpe

I never liked photography. Not for the sake of photography. I like the object. I like the photographs when you hold them in your hand. Robert Mapplethorpe

I went into photography because it seemed like the perfect vehicle for commenting on the madness of today’s existence. Robert Mapplethorpe

If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it’s as though I’ve neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up. Robert Mapplethorpe

I would never have done what I’d done if I’d considered my father as somebody I wanted to please. Robert Mapplethorpe

I’m looking for the unexpected. I’m looking for things I’ve never seen before. Robert Mapplethorpe

The whole point of being an artist is to learn about yourself. The photographs, I think, are less important than the life that one is leading. Robert Mapplethorpe

I am obsessed with beauty. I want everything to be perfect, and of course it isn’t. And that’s a tough place to be because you’re never satisfied. Robert Mapplethorpe

Photography Quotes About Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert took areas of dark human consent and made them into art. He worked without apology, investing the homosexual with grandeur, masculinity, and enviable nobility. Without affectation, he created a presence that was wholly male without sacrificing feminine grace. He was not looking to make a political statement or an announcement of his evolving sexual persuasion. He was presenting something new, something not seen or explored as he saw and explored it. Robert sought to elevate aspects of male experience, to imbue homosexuality with mysticism. Patti Smith Quotes

Robert Mapplethorpe Self Portrait Photograph

More on Famous American Photographer Robert Mapplethorpe

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Related or similar popular photographers and artists include: Cindy Sherman, Patti Smith, Andy Warhol and other Famous American Photographer.