Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989) was an American photographer known for his black-and-white photographs. Male and female nudes, celebrity portraits, self portraits, and commercial projects were included in his works, along with a focus on members of the S&M underground. Some work sparked debate among the United States for its unexpected and erotic quality.

Born in Queens, New York, Robert Mapplethorpe attended Pratt Institute. From his early years living with Patti Smith to later years with his partner Sam Wagstaff, Mapplethorpe consistently captured his subjects in black-and-white. His focus on New York City’s BDSM scene led him to become the main photographer of a local members-only bar and club, the Mineshaft. His work continues to be exhibited worldwide, and collections are included at the Tate London, the Museum of Modern Art, SCAD Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim Museum, New York, among others.