Mastering Photography Techniques: Controversial Lessons from Robert Mapplethorpe

Exploring Boundaries in Art—How Robert Mapplethorpe Pushed Photography Beyond Public Limits

Robert Mapplethorpe was known for photographing subjects with dark backgrounds, as this emulation does. Photo by Matthew Bamberg

One of the most lurid photographers of the twentieth century was Robert Mapplethorpe. His work generated controversy and skepticism among the public because it contained staged acts of human eroticism.

These images, which were only a part of his portfolio, had been accepted by galleries and museums, only to bring about a heated public discussion of what kind of art should be publicly funded by the U.S. government. While some of his images displayed overt sexual acts, others were beautifully crafted nudes of both men and women.

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