Celebrations of the thirtieth anniversary of Robert Mapplethorpe's death are taking place around the world. Bill and I have already reported on the must-see show at the MADRE in Naples.
The Corsini Gallery in Rome is participating by installing a selection of Mapplethorpe's photographs amongst their collection of 16th and 17th century art.
Many of the juxtapositions are straightforward -- the sculptural nudes of Ajitto (1981) are paired with bronze wrestlers.
The art in the Corsini collection was arranged in the 18th century and has not changed since then. Mapplethorpe's black and white photos stand out on the walls.
Ken and Lydia and Tyler, 1985.
Mapplethorpe liked traditional art. He and his partner filled their NYC apartment with both traditional and modern art. (Italian Devil, 1988)
A closer look at Italian Devil.
Mapplethorpe was interested in traditional ways of representing the human figure and enjoyed using conventional motifs for his own expressive ends. (Harry Lunn, 1976)
Harry Lunn with unidentified Cardinal.
Black Bust, 1988/Apollo, 1988
Marus Leatherdale, 1978, with some hunting sculptures.
Marus Leatherdale
The installation concludes with a traditional setting for photographs -- against a red wall.
Holly Soloman, 1976/Carol Overby, 1979
Jack-in-the-pulpit, 1988
Female Torso, 1978/Lisa Lyon, 1980
Lisa Lyon
I love the level of abstraction Mapplethorpe has achieved here. Especially that strange headless line along the top of the torso.
We exited the Corsini past a formal collection of busts. Bet Mapplethorpe would have liked these.
Read Bernard Perlin's biography, he thought Mapplethorpe was a twit.
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