black and white; slender black cone-shaped vase with white diagonal stripe pattern; vase is in center of image and bottom is not visible; grey horizon line with downward gradient across image at same height as top of vase; gathered bunch of flowers (carnations) at top of vase facing many directions; light grey/white band above grey horizon line at top of image

%C2%A9 Robert Mapplethorpe %2F The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation

Carnations, 1984

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Gelatin silver printexpand_more

Gift of Martin Weinsteinexpand_more  2018.75.3

Not on Viewexpand_more

This three-part series of images, or “triptych,” depicts a drama in three acts: a vase suspended by unseen forces above an indefinite surface gains a bouquet of dark, fluffy carnations that, in the final frame, appear to be growing only larger atop the screw-like vase. The surreal qualities of this series render the otherwise innocuous flowers as something vaguely sinister, possessed of darker powers that enable their growth even after being cut. Beauty and death are therefore conjoined to powerful effect in Mapplethorpe’s series, rendering these otherwise ordinary objects as things of existential exploration.

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Details
Title
Carnations
Artist Life
1946 - 1989
Role
Photographer
Accession Number
2018.75.3
Curator Approved

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black and white; slender black cone-shaped vase with white diagonal stripe pattern; vase is in center of image and bottom is not visible; grey horizon line with downward gradient across image at same height as top of vase; gathered bunch of flowers (carnations) at top of vase facing many directions; light grey/white band above grey horizon line at top of image

© Robert Mapplethorpe / The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation

Because of © restrictions, we can only show you a small image of this artwork.