Robert Mapplethorpe, renowned artist and photographer, passed away March 18, 1989, at the age of 42. Mapplethorpe was born in Floral Park, New York, in 1946. He developed an interest in photography from an early age, and his work with self-portraits, celebrity portraits and still lifes gained popularity throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His work was renowned for its frank depictions of beauty, masculinity, and sexuality. As his photography gained national attention, Mapplethorpe's pioneering use of large-format Polaroid photography won him critical acclaim. Mapplethorpe's health was declining throughout the late 1980s and he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. Despite his illness, he continued to produce and display his art, including at the Venice Biennale in 1988 and at the Robert Lehman Art Center in New York. Mapplethorpe is survived by his family, his friends, and his art. His work will continue to influence generations of artists and photographers as a testament to his vision, creativity, and mastery of his craft. He will be deeply missed.