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Robert Mapplethorpe Sean Kelly Gallery

Installation view of Robert Mapplethorpe: Neoclassicism at Sean Kelly, New York 
July 1 - August 12, 2005
Courtesy of Sean Kelly, New York 

 

Robert Mapplethorpe Sean Kelly Gallery

Installation view of Robert Mapplethorpe: Neoclassicism at Sean Kelly, New York 
July 1 - August 12, 2005
Courtesy of Sean Kelly, New York 

 

Press Release

Sean Kelly is delighted to announce a major exhibition of photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe. The exhibition, which opens on July 1st will continue through August 12th, and coincides with an exhibition at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Robert Mapplethorpe and the Classical Tradition: Photographs and Mannerist Prints, which also opens July 1st and continues through August 24th.

This exhibition of nearly 60 images reveals Mapplethorpe's work through a radically fresh interpretation. The selection of silver gelatin prints represents several areas of Mapplethorpe's aesthetic interests including; still lifes, portraits, figure studies, body fragments and classical statues which facilitate the unique opportunity to see Mapplethorpe's work through the matrix of Neoclassicism. A style of the late 18th century, Neoclassicism was exemplified by Jacques-Louis David's paintings and the sculptures of Antonio Canova. Neoclassical artists, in homage to the Greek and Roman Classical tradition, crystallized their subject matter to a pure, harmonious form with a sober clarity and a subdued sense of color. The static, rigorous frontal view of a figure in the shallow picture plane of Neoclassical practice was often also utilized by Mapplethorpe, with striking and beautiful results. Mapplethorpe's photographs exemplify classical ideals of form and proportion with their controlled relationships between light and shadow, balance and asymmetry, beauty and obscenity, while at the same time clearly reflecting both a Classical and highly contemporary interest in the human body.

Since Mapplethorpe's untimely death in 1989, his work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions in museums throughout the world, including several major traveling retrospectives. His work is widely collected, and he is unquestionably considered to be one of the most important photographers of the twentieth century.

Checklist

Entrance:

Apollo, 1988
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 x 19 inches(48 x 48 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 29 x 28 inches (73.6 x 71 cm)
MAP-1847

Gallery 1 (clockwise from left):

Sleeping Cupid, 1989
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/4 x 19 1/4 inches (48.9 x 48.9 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm)
framed: 31 3/8 x 30 5/8 inches (80 x 77.7 cm)
MAP-1940

Wrestler, 1989
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 23 1/8 x 19 1/4 inches (58.9 x 49 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (76 x 54 cm)
framed: 36 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches (92.7 x 80 cm)
MAP-1938

Lydia, 1987
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 23 x 19 1/4 inches (58 x 49 cm)
paper: 23 3/4 x 20 inches (60 x 51 cm)
framed: 39 3/8 x 29 1/2 inches (100 x 75 cm)
MAP-1748

Wrestler, 1989
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/4 x 23 inches (48.9 x 49 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (61x 51 cm)
framed: 36 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches (92.7 x 80 cm)
MAP-1939

Lisa Lyon, 1982
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/8 x 15 3/16 inches (38.5 x 38.6 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51x 41 cm)
framed: 28 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches (72.4 x 69.8 cm)
MAP-858

Lisa Lyon, 1982
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches (38.7 x 38.7 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 28 1/2 x 23 1/2 inches (72.3 x 70 cm)
MAP-807

Hallway (left side):

Sonia Resika, 1988
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 3/16 x 19 1/4 inches (49 x 49 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (6 1x 51 cm)
framed: 32 x 27 1/4 inches (81.2 x 69.2 cm)
MAP-1871

Antinous, 1987
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 23 x 19 1/4 inches (58 x 49 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm)
framed: 39 x 31 inches (99 x 78.7 cm)
MAP-1779

Maybelle, 1982
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches (38.7 x 38.7 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 28 1/4 x 23 1/4 inches (71.7 x 69.2 cm)
MAP-808

Hallway (right side):

Ada, 1982
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/8 x 15 3/16 inches (48.8 x 38.6 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 32 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches (82.5 x 70 cm)
MAP-916

Lisa Lyon, 1982
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/8 x 15 1/8 inches (38.6 x 38.6 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 28 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches (72.4 x 69.8 cm)
MAP-724

Female Torso, 1978
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 18 x 14 inches (45.7 x 35 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 27 x 22 inches (68.6 x 56 cm)
MAP-163

Derrick Cross, 1983
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches (39 x 39 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 23 1/2 x 23 inches (59 x 58 cm)
MAP-983

Main Gallery (clockwise from left):

Lisa Lyon, 1981
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/8 x 15 3/16 inches (38.5 x 38.6 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51x 41 cm)
framed: 28 1/8 x 27 1/4 inches (71.5 x 69.2 cm)
MAP-653

Ken and Lydia and Tyler, 1985
silver gelatin print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 14 7/8 x 14 7/8 inches (37.8 x 37.8 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 29 1/2 x 25 5/8 inches (75 x 65 cm)
MAP-1613

Alistair Butler, 1980
gelatin silver print
edition of 15 with 3 APs
image: 14 x 14 inches (35.5 x 35.5 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51x 41 cm)
framed: 29 1/4 x 28 1/4 inches (74.2 x 71.7 cm)
MAP-488

Ken Moody, 1983
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 x 15 1/4 inches (38 x 38.7 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51x 41 cm)
framed: 28 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches (72.4 x 69.8 cm)
MAP-1283

Ken Moody, 1985
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 x 15 1/8 inches (48.2 x 38.6 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51x 41 cm)
framed: 32 x 27 1/2 inches (81.2 x 70 cm)
MAP-1597

Lisa Lyon, 1982
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/8 x 15 1/4 inches (39 x 39 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51x 41 cm)
framed: 28 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches (72.4 x 69.8 cm)
MAP-785

Black Bust, 1988
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 39 x 31 inches (99 x 78.7 cm)
MAP-1897

Isabella Rossellini, 1988
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 23 x 19 1/4 inches (58 x 49 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm)
framed: 39 x 31 inches (99 x 78.7 cm)
MAP-1893

Lisa Lyon, 1981
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches (38.7 x 38.7 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51x 41 cm)
framed: 24 1/4 x 23 1/4 inches (61.6 x 59 cm)
MAP-648

Lisa Lyon, 1982 [top]
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/8 x 15 1/4 inches (39 x 39 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 24 1/4 x 23 1/4 inches (61.6 x 59 cm)
MAP-860

Arnold Schwarzenegger, 1976 [bottom]
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 14 x 13 7/8 inches (36 x 35 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 25 x 24 inches (63.5 x 61 cm)
MAP-70

Lisa Lyon, 1982
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches (38.7 x 38.7 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 24 1/4 x 23 1/4 inches (61.6 x 59 cm)
MAP-782

Statue Series, 1983
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/8 x 15 3/16 inches (48.8 x 38.6 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 29 5/8 x 25 3/8 inches (75 x 64.5 cm)
MAP-1166

Derrick Cross, 1983 [top]
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/8 x 15 1/4 inches (48 x 38.7)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51x 41 cm)
framed: 32 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches (82.5 x 70 cm)
MAP-997

The Sluggard, 1988 [bottom]
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 x 19 inches(48 x 48 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 28 1/4 x 27 1/2 inches (71.7 x 69.8 cm)
MAP-1899

Michael Reed, 1987
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/4 x 23 inches (47 x 47 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 36 1/4 x 31 1/2 inches (92 x 80 cm)
MAP-1736

Von Hackendahl, 1985
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/8 x 15 3/16 inches (48.8 x 38.6 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 32 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches (82.5 x 70 cm)
MAP-1567

Thomas, 1987
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/4 x 23 inches (48.9 58.4 x 47 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 36 1/4 x 31 1/2 inches (92 x 80 cm)
MAP-1791

Ajitto, 1981 [top]
gelatin silver print
edition of 15 with 3 APs
image: 17 7/8 x 14 inches (46 x 35 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 27 x 22 inches (68.6 x 56 cm)
MAP-541

Ajitto, 1981 [bottom]
gelatin silver print
edition of 15 with 3 APs
image: 17 7/8 x 13 15/16 inches (45 x 35.6 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 27 x 22 inches (68.6 x 56 cm)
MAP-574

Sphinx, 1988
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 x 19 inches (48.2 x 48.2 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm)
framed: 32 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches (82.5 x 80 cm)
MAP-1926

Sleeping Cupid, 1988
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/4 x 19 1/4 inches (48.9 x 48.9 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm)
framed: 32 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches (82.5 x 80 cm)
MAP-1935

Ken Moody, 1984 [top]
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/8 x 15 3/8 inches (38 x 39.1 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 24 x 22 inches (61 x 56 cm)
MAP-1484

Thomas, 1987 [bottom]
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 18 1/2 x 18 1/2 inches (47 x 47 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm)
framed: 28 3/4 x 27 3/4 inches (73 x 70.5 cm)
MAP-1729

Bacchus, 1988
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/4 x 19 1/4 inches (48.9 x 48.9 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm)
framed: 32 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches (82.5 x 80 cm)
MAP-1914

Skull, 1988
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/8 x 19 1/9 inches (48.7 x 48.7 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm)
framed: 29 3/4 x 29 3/4 inches (75.5 x 75.5 cm)
MAP-1844

Italian Devil, 1988
platinum print
edition of 3
image: 19 x 19 inches (48.2 x 48.2 cm)
paper: 27 x 22 1/4 inches (69 x 56.5 cm)
framed: 32 3/4 x 31 3/4 inches (83 x 80.6 cm)
MAP-1895

Bust and Skull, 1987 [top]
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/4 x 19 1/4 inches (49 x 49 cm)
paper: 24 x 20 inches (61 x 51 cm)
framed: 28 1/4 x 27 1/4 inches (71.7 x 69.2 cm)
MAP-1777

Gorham 1881 Compote, 1988 [bottom]
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/4 x 19 1/4 inches (48.9 x 48.9 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 28 1/8 x 27 1/4 inches (71.5 x 69.2 cm)
MAP-1924

Dennis, 1978
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 13 7/8 x 14 inches (35 x 35.5 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framer: 28 5/8 x 28 1/8 inches (72.6 x 71.6 cm)
MAP-203

Ken and Tyler, 1985
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 x 18 3/4 inches (38 x 47.6 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 27 1/2 x 23 3/4 inches (70 x 60 cm)
MAP-1593

Lisa Lyon, 1981
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 1/4 x 19 1/4 inches (38.7 x 49 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 28 1/4 x 23 1/4 inches (71.7 x 69.2 cm)
MAP-656

Lisa Lyon, 1981
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 3/16 x 15 3/16 inches (38.8 x 38.6 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 24 1/4 x 23 1/4 inches (61.6 x 59 cm)
MAP-666

Lisa Lyon, 1981
gelatin silver print
edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 15 3/16 x 15 3/16 inches (38.8 x 38.8 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 24 1/4 x 23 1/4 inches (61.6 x 59 cm)
MAP-655