Robert Mapplethorpe And The Classical Tradition

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Robert Mapplethorpe's fascination with the human figure is vividly captured in his iconic black-and-white photographs, which celebrate the beauty of the athletic and nude body. This exhibition and its catalogue delve into the interplay between Mapplethorpe's photography and Classical art, particularly Mannerist engravings and sculpture. It marks a significant collaboration between the Guggenheim Museum and the State Hermitage Museum. The exhibition highlights Mapplethorpe's connection to Mannerist art, showcasing how his subjects embody classicism through their clarity and dynamic energy. His portrayal of love and Eros resonates with the Mannerist works displayed, drawing parallels between his portraits of models like bodybuilder Lisa Lyons and the classical figures in pieces such as Jan Harmensz Muller's Sabine woman. The Hermitage's extensive collection of Italian art, featuring approximately 50 Mannerist works alongside Mapplethorpe's, enriches this exploration. Curatorial essays discuss the resurgence of Classicism across centuries, examining the shared obsessions of Mapplethorpe and the Mannerists. They also illuminate his artistic sensibility and interest in pure form and allegory, while tracing his complex relationship with art history, referencing figures like Jacques-Louis David and Auguste Rodin. The catalogue captures both the visual and intellectual dialogue between these artistic traditions.