| Full Name | Robert Michael Mapplethorpe |
| Date of Birth | November 4, 1946 |
| Place of Birth | Queens, New York City, U.S. |
| Date of Death | March 9, 1989 |
| Place of Death | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Resting Place | St. John Cemetery, Queens, New York City |
| Education | Attended Pratt Institute, majored in Graphic Arts |
| Known for | – Photography – His work explored a wide range of subjects, including celebrity portraits, male and female nudes, self-portraits, and still-life images – Documented the gay male BDSM subculture |
| Partners | – Patti Smith (1967–1970) – David Croland (1970–1972) – Sam Wagstaff (1972–1987) |
| Career Highlights | – Lived with Patti Smith, creating art together – Met art curator Sam Wagstaff, who became his mentor, lover, and patron – Explored a wide range of subjects, from socialites to the BDSM subculture – His 1989 exhibition sparked debates about “obscene” artwork and free speech |
| Death | Died at age 42 due to complications from HIV/AIDS in a Boston hospital |
| Website | mapplethorpe.org |
