Robert Mapplethorpe. The Forms of Desire - the exhibition at Palazzo Reale in Milan

A symbol of American counterculture, Robert Mapplethorpe, one of the most controversial photographers of the 20th century, will be honoured from 29 January to 17 May 2026 with an exhibition at the Palazzo Reale in Milan, featuring all his most iconic shots.

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Robert Mapplethorpe - between art and eroticism

An enigmatic figure in photography, Robert Mapplethorpe, born in Queens in 1946, is considered one of the most controversial but appreciated artists of the last century. His life and career were marked by a series of events, first and foremost his meeting with Patti Smith, with whom he shared not only a great love but also an artistic partnership involving music, poetry and photography between 1970 and 1973, which resulted, for example, in the famous cover of Smith's album Horses.

                     Patti Smith photographed by Robert Mapplethorpe - image taken from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation's social media profile

However, the meeting that would mark a turning point in his career was with Sam Wagstaff, an art collector with whom he would achieve fame, staging his first exhibitions such as Polaroids in 1973, and rediscover love until his death in 1989. Among her most representative works are numerous black-and-white portraits of celebrities such as Andy Warhol and Amanda Lear, prints with platinum inserts, and many works that blur the line between art and eroticism.

                                  Photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe - image taken from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation's social media profile

The exhibition at Palazzo Reale - a journey through the photographer's aesthetics

The retrospective exhibition at Palazzo Reale, open from 10:00 to 19:30 from 29 January to 17 May, is curated by Denis Curti and is part of a trilogy that began in Venice, at Le Stanze della Fotografia, and is set to conclude in Rome. The exhibition is divided into seven sections, comprising more than 200 photographs including portraits, self-portraits, collages, nudes, flowers and comparisons, offering visitors a journey into the complexity of this highly acclaimed photographer. 

                        Micheal Roth, Robert Mapplethorpe, 1983 - image taken from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation's social media profile

                               Calla Lily, Robert Mapplethorpe, 1984 - image taken from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation's social media profile.

Combining sensuality and eroticism, the exhibition is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year!

Tickets and additional information

Open from 10:00 a.m., the exhibition can be visited at the following prices:

• Open - £17
• Full price - £15
• Reduced price - from £13 to £10
• Schools - £6
• Families - from £6 to £10

To purchase, click here.

The Palazzo Reale in Milan, where the retrospective will be held, can be reached by underground, getting off at the Duomo stop, by bus, with lines 50 and 57, by tram, with lines 14 and 16, by train, with lines S13 and S7, and on foot from the city centre.

Don't miss one of the most iconic exhibitions of the year!

Discover the exhibition on Steve McCurry too!