Robert Mapplethorpe - The Archive
Read More
Found a better price? Request a price match
Robert Mapplethorpe - The Archive
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Latest News
A Seven Sharp Visit and a Huge Thank You!
It's been a busy last week at Rawiri Place before our big move, with a...
What I Read (and Played) in Bali
I always read more when I travel. There’s the flight over, the hotel breakfast where...
A Puzzle for Every Season: Why I Love Seasonal Puzzles
From spooky Halloween puzzles to floral spring scenes and Christmas favourites we bring out every...
The Book Briefing - September 16th
This week there are so many exciting new book announcements out and about with covers,...
Every crime/thriller Novel Lizzy has read this year (so far!)
Lizzy is sharing her crime and thriller reads for 2026 so far and giving you...
See moreCelebrated photographer Robert Mapplethorpe challenged the limits of censorship and conformity, combining technical and formal mastery with unexpected, often provocative content that secured his place in history.
Celebrated photographer Robert Mapplethorpe challenged the limits of censorship and conformity, combining technical and formal mastery with unexpected, often provocative content that secured his place in history. Mapplethorpe’s artistic vision helped shape the social and cultural fabric of the 1970s and ’80s and, following his death in 1989 from AIDS, informed the political landscape of the 1990s. His photographic works continue to resonate with audiences all over the world.
Throughout his career, Mapplethorpe preserved studio files and art from every period and vein of his production, including student work, jewellery, sculptures, and commercial assignments. The resulting archive is fascinating and astonishing. With over 400 illustrations, this volume surveys a virtually unknown resource that sheds new light on the artist’s motivations, connections, business acumen, and talent as a curator and collector.
Robert Mapplethorpe - The Archive by Frances Terpak offers an in-depth look into the creative life of an iconic artist, enhancing our understanding of his remarkable impact on the world.
Series: Getty Publications -
View allBook Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Artlyst praises the book for shedding new light on Mapplethorpe's motivations and talents, while Publishers Weekly calls it an eclectic, visually stimulating, and important study of the artist's enduring influence.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781606064702
Publisher: Getty Trust Publications
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 01 March 2016
Country: United States
Imprint: Getty Publications
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 33.0mm
Width: 245.0mm
Height: 311.0mm
Weight: 1860g
Pages: 240
About the Author
Frances Terpak is curator of photographs at the Getty Research Institute, where she has built the photographic and optical devices collections. She is the author of Brush and Shutter: Early Photography in China (Getty Publications, 2011). Michelle Brunnick is a visual artist and critical theorist. She was the Robert Mapplethorpe archive curatorial assistant at the Getty Research Institute. Patti Smith is a singer-songwriter, poet, and visual artist. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, and she won the National Book Award in 2010 for her memoir Just Kids. Jonathan Weinberg is a visiting critic at the Yale School of Art and a lecturer at the Rhode Island School of Design.
More from Arts & Culture
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Arts & Culture lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!


















