Visited the Mapplethorpe exhibit at The Getty Center this past weekend.
Robert Mapplethorpe self portrait
I remember the controversy over his photos back in the 80's but this was the first time that I have see his work up close and I must say that I was really impressed. His mastery of black and white was incredible. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is also hosting a Mapplethorpe exhibit that is running for the same dates. Both are running from March 15 - July 31. I plan on attending the LACMA show sometime next month. Also on display are photos from the Sam Wagstaff archive. Wagstaff was Mapplethorpe's benefactor and had an extensive collection of historical photographs. I especially enjoyed seeing prints by Alfred Steiglitz and Edward Weston. His images of the human form have such depth and range the just take your breath away. Flowers was another of his favorite subjects and the are the standard that still life's that photographers to this day compare their work against.