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Collections

Robert Mapplethorpe
Y Portfolio1978

Not on view
Clamshell box or portfolio case in oyster-gray material, nearly square, with a single gold letter 'Y' stamped on the front face and spine
Gelatin silver print still life of tulips in a cylindrical vase on a dark surface, with dramatic side lighting casting deep shadows; one stem extends to the left, a light-toned panel visible at upper right.
Gelatin silver print of iris stems with blooms and buds extending diagonally across a pale wall, their shadows cast sharply to the right, creating a near-mirror composition of plant forms and shadow forms.
Gelatin silver print of iris stems with dried blossoms extending diagonally across a pale wall, their dark silhouettes mirrored by large cast shadows; a vertical architectural edge divides the background.
Gelatin silver print, close-up of four curved dark forms arranged in descending arcs along the left edge, set against a pale textured wall with a vertical corner dividing the composition.
Gelatin silver print of a single flowering stem centered against a pale, horizontally lined background with a dark gray band across the top; fine horizontal texture overlays the entire composition.
Gelatin silver print of a single plant stem with broad leaves and a closed bud, positioned in the lower right, against a light background with soft horizontal shadow striations.
Gelatin silver print, close-up of a lily blossom with spotted petals and extended stamens, stem arching diagonally against a pale, softly gradated background with a faint shadow at right.
Gelatin silver print still life of a single rose on a curved stem in a narrow glass vase on a dark surface, with a large soft-focus shadow cast on the pale wall behind it.
Gelatin silver print still life of a single rose in a narrow glass vase on a dark surface, its dramatically enlarged shadow cast across a pale wall to the left.
Gelatin silver print still life of a single iris bloom in a dark narrow vase on a shelf, with a diagonal beam of light casting a large shadow of the flower against the wall behind it.
Gelatin silver print of a single spider chrysanthemum centered against a dark background, its long narrow petals radiating outward from a dense central disc, sharply lit to reveal fine detail against deep shadow.
Gelatin silver print of a single spider chrysanthemum in close-up still life, its long slender petals radiating from a dense center against a near-black background, with sharp tonal contrast emphasizing the pale, curved filaments.
Gelatin silver print still life of a white ceramic vase holding a dense spray of delicate branching stems with small round buds, spreading wide against a deep black background.
Gelatin silver print, still life of a white rounded vase holding a wide, densely branching spray of tiny white flowers against a deep black background, with high contrast and fine detail in the delicate stems.
Gelatin silver print, close-up overhead view of a leafy cabbage or kale plant centered against a dark background, with tightly ruffled inner leaves spiraling outward to broad smooth outer leaves, high contrast lighting emphasizing texture.
Gelatin silver print, close-up overhead view of a flowering kale or ornamental cabbage centered against a pure black background, with dramatically raking light highlighting the intricate frilled and ruffled leaf edges spiraling inward from broad outer leaves to a densely curled center.
Gelatin silver print, overhead view of a white gardenia blossom with dark leaves resting inside a shallow circular dish, sharp contrast between the bright petals and dark background within the bowl, soft shadow cast on a neutral gray surface.
Gelatin silver print, overhead view of a cluster of white carnations arranged in a dark spherical vase, with a long shadow cast on a light gray background.
Gelatin silver print, overhead view of white carnations resting atop a dark rounded vessel, casting a deep shadow on a light gray background, with sharp tonal contrast between the frilled petals and matte black surface.
Book or publication cover with white background, a single bold black letter "Y" centered near the middle, and the name "Robert Mapplethorpe" in small spaced capitals near the bottom.
Printed artist's book spread with two pages: left page contains small Hebrew characters followed by blocks of English prose text; right page lists 13 numbered flower titles with locations and dates from 1977–1978.
Printed page spread with three columns of English text in small serif type on white paper, arranged as numbered prose or verse passages.
Colophon page on white stock with printed text describing edition details, accompanied by a handwritten signature and the letter "A" designating the copy number.
Square clamshell box of pale lavender-gray cardstock, angled against a white background, with a small gold foil letter "Y" centered on the lid and repeated on the spine.
Three square clamshell boxes arranged side by side, labeled X, Y, and Z in small gold letters; covered in black, gray, and dark brown cloth respectively.
Artist or Maker
Robert Mapplethorpe
United States, 1946–1989, active New York City
Title
Y Portfolio
Date Made
1978
Medium
Gelatin silver prints
Dimensions
Image (each): 7 11/16 × 7 3/4 in. (19.53 × 19.69 cm) Primary support (each): 7 11/16 × 7 3/4 in. (19.53 × 19.69 cm) Secondary support (each): 13 3/8 × 12 7/8 in. (33.97 × 32.7 cm) Mat (each): 14 9/16 × 14 1/16 in. (36.99 × 35.72 cm) Overall: 14 7/8 × 14 × 1 15/16 in. (37.78 × 35.56 × 4.92 cm)
Credit Line
Jointly acquired by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and The J. Paul Getty Trust; Partial gift of The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation; partial purchase with funds provided by The David Geffen Foundation and The J. Paul Getty Trust
Accession Number
M.2011.30.76.1-.15
Classification
Photographs
Collecting Area
Photography