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Robert Mapplethorpe Sean Kelly Gallery

Installation view of Robert Mapplethorpe: Eye to Eye at Sean Kelly, New York 
September 13 - October 18, 2003
Courtesy: Sean Kelly, New York 

Robert Mapplethorpe Sean Kelly Gallery

Installation view of Robert Mapplethorpe: Eye to Eye at Sean Kelly, New York 
September 13 - October 18, 2003
Courtesy: Sean Kelly, New York 

Press Release

Sean Kelly Gallery is delighted to announce a major exhibition of photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe selected by Cindy Sherman. The exhibition, Mapplethorpe's first solo show in New York in three years, inaugurates the gallery's relationship with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. The opening of the exhibition will take place on Friday, September 122h from 6pm until 8pm.

Celebrated and censored, revered and reviled, notorious and noted, demonized and deified, Robert Mapplethorpe's work has never been less than controversial. This exhibition of nearly 60 works selected by artist Cindy Sherman is Mapplethorpe's work as you have never seen it before. The selection by Cindy Sherman, whom Mapplethorpe photographed, facilitates the unique opportunity to see his work through another artist's eyes, indeed many of the works chosen have not previously been exhibited in New York. The exhibition contains work from all areas of Mapplethorpe's principal aesthetic interests including; still lifes, portraits, figure studies, flowers, body fragments and classical statues.

Mapplethorpe's photographs exemplify classical ideals of form and proportion reminiscent of the work of Edward Weston, with their controlled relationships between light and shadow, balance and asymmetry, beauty and obscenity, whilst at the same time clearly presaging a more contemporary interest with the body and self-obsession. The formal correspondences in Mapplethorpe's images reflect the tense connections between art and society, including issues of race and sexuality.

Since Mapplethorpe's untimely death in 1989, his work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions in museums throughout the world, including 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

Gallery I, clockwise from left:

Lee Leigh, 1980
gelatin silver print, edition of 15
image: 13 5/8 x 13 3/4 inches (35 x 35 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 25 x 24 inches (64 x 61 cm)
MAP-428

Self Portrait, 1988
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 11 x 23 inches (28 x 58 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 26 x 39 3/8 inches (66 x 100 cm)
MAP-1900

Gallery II, clockwise from left:

Marisol, 1979
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 13 1/2 x 13 1/2 inches (34 x 34 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 29 x 28 1/2 inches (74 x 73 cm)
MAP-327

Freya Stark, 1975
gelatin silver print, edition of 5
image: 13 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches (35 x 35 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 23 7/8 x 23 inches (61 x 59 cm)
MAP-46

Hans Van Manen, 1979
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 15 1/8 x 15 1/8 inches (39 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 25 1/8 x 24 inches (64 x 61 cm)
MAP-339

Georgio St Angelo, 1977
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 14 x 13 7/8 inches (36 x 36 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 23 3/4 x 23 inches (60 x 59 cm)
MAP-78

Bernine, 1978
gelatin silver print, edition of 5
image: 14 x 13 7/8 inches (36 x 36 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 25 1/8 x 24 1/8 inches (64 x 62 cm)
MAP-136

Lisa Lyon, 1982
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 15 1/8 x 15 3/8 inches (39 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 23 5/8 x 22 5/8 inches (60 x 57 cm)
MAP-718

Jackie Wynne, 1984
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 1/8 x 15 1/4 inches (49 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 29 x 24 inches (74 x 61 cm)
MAP-1465

Chi Chi, 1981
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 x 15 1/8 inches (48 x 38 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 30 x 25 inches (76 x 63 cm)
MAP-667

Steve Strange, 1981
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 13 7/8 x 13 7/8 inches (36 x 36 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 29 x 28 3/8 inches (74 x 72 cm)
MAP-580

Lisa Lyon, 1984
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches (49 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 29 1/8 x 23 inches (74 x 58 cm)
MAP-1348

Aira, 1979
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 13 5/16 x 13 7/8 inches (34 x 35 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 24 x 23 inches (61 x 58 cm)
MAP-226

Diane Benson, 1980
gelatin silver print, edition of 15
image: 13 7/8 x 13 7/8 inches (36 x 36 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 23 5/8 x 22 5/8 inches (60 x 58 cm)
MAP-502

Miep Brons, 1981
gelatin silver print, edition of 15
image: 13 1/2 x 13 1/2 inches (34 x 34 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 23 3/4 x 23 inches (60 x 58 cm)
MAP-536

Phyllis Tweel, 1979
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 13 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches (35 x 35 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 25 7/8 x 25 inches (66 x 64 cm)
MAP-279

Main Gallery, clockwise from left:

Lee Krasner, 1982
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 1/4 x 15 3/16 inches (49 x 39 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 30 x 25 inches (76 x 64 cm)
MAP-930

Birdman, 1982
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 15 1/8 x 15 1/4 inches (39 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 26 1/8 x 25 1/8 inches (66 x 64 cm)
MAP-714

Eleanor Lambert, 1986
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 23 1/4 x 19 1/4 inches (59 x 49 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 36 x 30 7/8 inches (91 x 79 cm)
MAP-1721

Dennis Speight, 1983
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 18 1/2 x 14 5/8 inches (47 x 37 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 30 x 25 inches (76 x 64 cm)
MAP-1129

Cactus, 1987
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 3/16 x 19 1/4 inches (49 x 49 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 32 1/2 x 31 3/4 inches (83 x 81 cm)
MAP-1756

Jason, 1983
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 1/8 x 15 3/16 inches (49 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 29 7/8 x 24 7/8 inches (76 x 64 cm)
MAP-1287

Ken Moody, 1983
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 x 15 1/8 inches (48 x 38 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 35 x 30 1/2 inches (89 x 77 cm)
MAP-1281

Michael St Clair, 1984
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 1/8 x 15 1/4 inches (49 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 29 x 24 1/2 inches (74 x 62 cm)
MAP-1426

Cock and Devil, 1982
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 14 1/2 x 18 1/2 inches (37 x 47 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 28 3/4 x 31 1/2 inches (73 x 80 cm)
MAP-777

Italian Devil, 1988
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 x 18 3/4 inches (48 x 48 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 25 x 24 3/4 inches (64 x 63 cm)
MAP-1895

David Moore, 1987
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 23 1/8 x 19 5/16 inches (59 x 49 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 36 1/4 x 31 1/2 inches (92 x 80 cm)
MAP-1848

Benjamin, 1985
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 15 1/8 x 19 1/8 inches (39 x 49 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 24 x 29 inches (61 x 74 cm)
MAP-1509

Pat Dawkins, 1982
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 1/8 x 15 1/4 inches (49 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 30 x 25 inches (76 x 64 cm)
MAP-961

Katherine Cebrian, 1980
gelatin silver print, edition of 15
image: 13 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches (35 x 35 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 23 5/8 x 22 5/8 inches (60 x 58 cm)
MAP-444

Tulip, 1988
dye transfer print, edition of 10
image: 20 1/4 x 18 1/4 inches (51 x 46 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 30 3/4 x 27 5/8 inches (78 x 70 cm)
MAP-DT1839

Robert Sherman, 1984
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 15 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches (39 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 26 x 25 inches (66 x 63 cm)
MAP-1387

Cock, 1985
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 1/8 x 15 1/8 inches (49 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 30 x 25 inches (76 x 64 cm)
MAP-1545

Alice Neel, 1984
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 3/4 x 14 7/8 inches (50 x 37 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 33 1/2 x 29 1/4 inches (84 x 74 cm)
MAP-1444

Derrick Cross, 1983
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches (49 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 30 x 25 inches (76 x 64 cm)
MAP-1062

Double Jack In The Pulpit, 1988
dye transfer print, edition of 10
image: 21 3/4 x 21 1/4 inches (55 x 54 cm)
paper: 24 x 30 inches (61 x 76 cm)
framed: 32 x 30 1/2 inches (81 x 77 cm)
MAP-DT1880

Thomas/Chest, 1986
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 18 5/8 x 18 5/8 inches (47 x 47 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 32 3/4 x 31 1/2 inches (83 x 80 cm)
MAP-1688

Poppy, 1988
dye transfer print, edition of 10
image: 19 1/4 x 18 1/4 inches (49 x 46 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 29 3/4 x 27 5/8 inches (75 x 70 cm)
MAP-DT1837

Grace Jones, 1988
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 22 3/4 x 19 inches (58 x 48 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 33 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches (86 x 75 cm)
MAP-1907

Rory Bernal, 1982
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 15 3/16 x 15 1/4 inches (39 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 26 1/8 x 25 inches (67 x 64 cm)
MAP-744

Feet, 1982
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 15 1/8 x 15 1/4 inches (39 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 27 1/2 x 26 3/4 inches (70 x 68 cm)
MAP-895

Stems, 1985
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 15 1/4 x 15 1/4 inches (38.8 x 38.8 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41x 61 cm)
framed: 25 1/2 x 25 3/4 inches (64.7 x 65.4 cm)
MAP-1614

Black Bust, 1988
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 18 3/4 x 18 3/4 inches (47 x 47 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 25 x 25 inches (63.5 x 63.5cm)
MAP-1896

Iggy Pop, 1981
gelatin silver print, edition of 15
image: 13 7/8 x 13 7/8 inches (36 x 36 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 25 x 24 inches (64 x 61 cm)
MAP-534

Louise Nevelson, 1986
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 1/8 x 19 1/8 inches (49 x 49 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 30 x 29 inches (76 x 74 cm)
MAP-1630

Benjamin, 1985
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 19 3/16 x 15 1/8 inches (49 x 39 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 30 x 25 inches (76 x 64 cm)
MAP-1526

Calla Lily, 1988
gelatin silver print, edition of 10 with 2 APs
image: 19 1/4 x 19 1/4 inches (49 x 49 cm)
paper: 20 x 24 inches (51 x 61 cm)
framed: 32 3/4 x 31 3/4 inches (83 x 81 cm)
MAP-1881

Ermes, 1988
platinum print, edition of 5
image: 19 x 18 3/4 inches (48 x 47 cm)
paper: 26 1/2 x 22 inches (67 x 56 cm)
framed: 29 1/8 x 24 inches (74 x 61 cm)
MAP-P1890

Roy Cohn, 1981
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 14 3/4 x 14 3/4 inches (37 x 37 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 25 3/4 x 25 1/2 inches (65 x 64.7 cm)
MAP-608

Doris Saatchi, 1983
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 14 5/8 x 14 5/8 inches (37 x 37 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 25 1/4 x 24 inches (64 x 61 cm)
MAP-1499

Holly Solomon, 1976
gelatin silver print, edition of 5
image: 14 1/2 x 14 1/2 inches (37 x 37 cm)
paper: 20 x 16 inches (51 x 41 cm)
framed: 29 x 28 3/8 inches (74 x 72 cm)
MAP-24

Marianne Faithful, 1976
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 13 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches (35 x 35 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 24 1/4 x 23 1/4 inches (62 x 59 cm)
MAP-135

William Burroughs, 1979
gelatin silver print, edition of 15
image: 13 5/8 x 13 5/8 inches (35 x 35 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 29 x 28 1/2 inches (74 x 73 cm)
MAP-304

Carol Overby, 1979
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 13 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches (35 x 35 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 23 7/8 x 22 7/8 inches (61 x 59 cm)
MAP-358

In the Director's office:

Cindy Sherman, 1983
gelatin silver print, edition of 10
image: 18 1/2 x 14 5/8 inches (47 x 37 cm)
paper: 16 x 20 inches (41 x 51 cm)
framed: 25 x 30 inches (64 x 76 cm)
MAP-1018