Mapplethorpe, Robert | Silver Dollar, 1988 — available on Composition Gallery

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Silver Dollar (1988) by Robert Mapplethorpe presents a meticulous silver gelatin print of a 1900 Morgan silver dollar, captured with the artist’s signature precision and elegance. The composition isolates the coin within a sharply angled white mat against a dark backdrop, emphasizing its sculptural relief and historical symbolism. Mapplethorpe transforms a common object into a work of refined minimalism, balancing stark contrasts and geometric framing to elevate the coin into a meditation on value, permanence, and the intersection of art and material culture. Produced in an edition of just 10, the piece is a rare example of Mapplethorpe’s still-life mastery.

Robert Mapplethorpe (United States, 1946–1989) was a photographer renowned for his black-and-white images that explore themes of sexuality, identity, and the human form. His work includes portraits, nudes, and still lifes, often characterized by classical composition and lighting. Mapplethorpe's provocative subjects sparked significant debate on art and censorship.

Robert Mapplethorpe

Silver Dollar, 1988

Name: Silver Dollar, 1988
SKU: 16134
Price: 10200.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Gelatin Silver Print

Gelatin Silver PrintA silver gelatin print is a type of photographic print made using the silver process. In this process, photographic materials such as black and white films and printing papers are coated with a light-sensitive emulsion of silver salts suspended in gelatin. This emulsion is applied to a support, which could be flexible plastic, glass, resin-coated paper, or baryta paper. The materials are light-sensitive and remain stable under normal storage conditions, making them ideal for long-term preservation.

Edition

Edition of 10

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●Inventory 16134

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Beauty and the devil are the same thing.
- Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert Mapplethorpe (b. 1946 USA, d. 1989 USA) was an iconic American photographer renowned for his provocative and meticulously crafted photographs that explore themes of beauty, sexuality, and identity. Mapplethorpe's work is characterized by its formal elegance, often employing classical compositions and a refined use of light and shadow to create striking images that blur the lines between art and erotica. His subjects ranged from still lifes and floral studies to portraits and nudes, with a particular focus on the male form. Mapplethorpe's exploration of the human body, especially in his more controversial work that depicted BDSM subculture and homoerotic imagery, sparked significant debate about the boundaries of art and censorship in the 1980s. His work challenged societal norms and opened up discussions about the representation of sexuality in art. Despite the controversies, Mapplethorpe is celebrated for his technical mastery and his ability to capture the complexity and beauty of his subjects. His work has been exhibited in major museums worldwide, and he remains a pivotal figure in the history of contemporary photography. (Artist website)

Artwork by Nan Goldin

What is Queer Aesthetics?

Queer Aesthetics refers to an art movement that emerged in the 1980s, focusing on themes of homosexuality, lesbianism, and broader issues of identity and gender. This movement gained momentum in the context of the AIDS crisis and the feminist movement, challenging traditional representations of sexuality and gender. Queer Aesthetics often explores the fluidity of gender and identity, as seen in the works of artists like Nan Goldin, who is known for her photography of individuals with ambiguous or non-conforming gender presentations.

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Robert Mapplethorpe

Silver Dollar, 1988

50.8 x 60.3 cm

Language & Currency

Robert Mapplethorpe