At the rooms of photography Of Venice The great exhibition dedicated to an absolute protagonist, and still in many respects controversial, of international photography, Robert Mapplerpe (New York, 1946 – Boston, 1989). Edited by the artistic director of Le Rooms of Photography, Denis Curtithe review “Robert Mapplethorpe. The forms of the classic “ It is organized and promoted by Marsilio Arte and Giorgio Cini Foundation in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation in New York. The exhibition will remain exhibited in Venice, inside the The Rooms of Photography Photographic, on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, From 10 April to 23 November 2025.
“Robert Mapplethorpe. The shapes of the classic” It was conceived as the first act of a wider trilogy, part of a study and research path aimed at deepening and investigating the figure of Mapplethorpe widely, which includes. Two other exhibition events in 2026, of Robert Mapplethorpe. “The forms of desire” It will be held in Milan, at Palazzo Reale, and presents a complete retrospective on the entire work of the photographer with his most iconic, powerful and bold photographs, focusing on the most intense aspects of his
production. “The forms of beauty “ It will be exhibited in Rome, at the Ara Pacis Museum, and will focus on the studies on beauty understood as classicism, with 
Punctual images and comparisons and a selection dedicated to some significant images taken in Italy exposed now for the first time.
New the curatorial approach of Curti with whom he approached the story of Mapplethorpe who differs from the traditional narrative of the artist often presented as a transgressive and provocative figure, associated with erotic or pornographic content. The Venetian exhibition focuses on the search for Mapplethorpe of ideal beauty and formal perfection, elements that bring it closer to the tradition of classical sculpture. The artist himself said that, if he had been born a few centuries earlier, he would probably have been a sculptor. It is precisely starting from this reflection, here is his figure in a wider artistic context, that of the representation of the human being through photography understood as primarily figurative art.
The photographs on display range between male and female nudes, portraits of celebrities such as Patti Smith, Lisa Lyon, Andy Warhol and Susan Sontag, e floral death. In all works the wise use of light and composition emerges, which transforms subjects into classical beauty icons. The choice to present exclusively original prints made by Mapplethorpe itself gives the exposure an added value, allowing to “see with our eyes” the author’s technical quality and artistic intent.
The declared goal is to offer a complete vision of the photographer’s work, exploring the different facets of his artistic production and its evolution in
time, avoiding reductive and pre -packaged readings.
“The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation is enthusiastic to collaborate with Marsilio Arte, Denis Curti and his colleagues to the next reviews dedicated to Mapplethorpe, who will be splendidly presented within prestigious locations and institutions. The careful curators of Denis Curti will offer visitors a unique experience, differentiating the approach for each of the three locations and underlining the different facets of the mapplethorpe’s work. Beyond some points in common, each exhibition will adopt a specific cut compared to the artist’s works. Venice has not won a complete anthological of Mapplethorpe since 1992, when the iconic international retrospective curated by Germano Celant was presented at Palazzo Fortuny. We look forward to the return of Mapplethorpe to Venice after 33 years, as well as the reviews scheduled for Rome and Milan», He declares Michael Ward Stoutpresident of the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Carlo Franza