Robert Mapplethorpe

Self Portrait

About this artwork

Mapplethorpe felt a great affinity with the social rebellion of Surrealism and particularly admired the photographer Man Ray’s portrait of Marcel Duchamp in drag: Marcel Duchamp Dressed as Rrose Selavy, 1920-21. It introduced to Mapplethorpe the idea of portraiture as disguise and gender transformation, which he explores in this self portrait. Direct comparisons can be made between the two photographs in both subject matter and composition, whilst Mapplethorpe’s use of fur also recalls Meret Oppenheim’s Object, 1936, a sexually explicit, fur lined cup and saucer.

Updated before 2020

see media
This artwork is part of Artist Rooms
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert Mapplethorpe