the collector's folio

Robert Yarber Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Robert Yarber our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Robert Yarber · 1948 – 1989

Tulip

1984 · Dulwich Picture Gallery, London · original 38 x 38 cm

Experience the striking black & white beauty of Robert Mapplethorpe's 'Tulip.' A minimalist masterpiece capturing delicate floral form and timeless elegance, showcasing the photographer’s signature style.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19538 × 38 cm Commission at original size

Orchids

1985 · Dulwich Picture Gallery, London · original 40 x 50 cm

Experience the striking black & white photograph 'Orchids' by Robert Mapplethorpe – a formal study of three orchids capturing beauty, fragility, and a touch of provocative elegance.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18131 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$21240 × 50 cm Commission at original size

Lily with Bud

1989 · SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah

Experience the exquisite beauty of Robert Mapplethorpe's 'Lily with Bud,' a masterful black-and-white photograph capturing a lily plant illuminated by classical chiaroscuro, embodying elegance and sensual allure.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Lily

1984 · SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah

Robert Mapplethorpe’s ‘Lily’ is a strikingly formal black and white photograph of a single bloom, capturing the artist's fascination with beauty and desire from the 1980s. Explore this iconic study in form and texture – a timeless piece to elevate your collection.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Blue Rose

1988 · Dulwich Picture Gallery, London · original 47 x 47 cm

Robert Mapplethorpe’s ‘Blue Rose’ – a striking 1988 black & white photograph of a solitary blue rose. Explore its poignant beauty, unique style & the artist's legacy.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$21847 × 47 cm Commission at original size

Ajitto

George Eastman Museum, Rochester · original 35 x 45 cm

Experience the stark introspection of Robert Mapplethorpe's black and white portraiture; own this masterwork capturing form and shadow.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19935 × 45 cm Commission at original size

Ajitto

George Eastman Museum, Rochester · original 35 x 45 cm

Robert Mapplethorpe's 'Ajitto': A striking black & white photograph capturing introspection and vulnerability. Explore the iconic photographer’s masterful use of form and light.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19935 × 45 cm Commission at original size

Robert Mapplethorpe 1970-1983

Modern Art Oxford, Oxford

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18139 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Robert Mapplethorpe 1970-1983

Modern Art Oxford, Oxford

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18139 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Robert Mapplethorpe 1970-1983

Modern Art Oxford, Oxford

Explore Robert Mapplethorpe’s iconic 1970-1983 photographic series – a formal gallery wall of striking black & white portraits. Discover his groundbreaking style.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$28138 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Lisa Lyon_9

Borusan Contemporary, Istanbul

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

Keith Haring

1984

Explore Robert Mapplethorpe’s striking black & white portrait of Keith Haring. A study in geometric lines, pop culture, and contemplative mood – a unique photographic masterpiece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Jim, Sausalito

1977

Robert Mapplethorpe’s "Jim, Sausalito" (1977) – a stark black & white photo capturing isolation & struggle. Explore its angular lines, dramatic lighting & powerful symbolism of resilience.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Self Portrait

1988

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Louise Bourgeois

1991

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18131 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Honey

1976

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Brian Ridley and Lyle Heeter

1979

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20631 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Andy Warhol

1990

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18131 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Orchid

1985 · SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Alan Lynes

1979

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Roy Lichtenstein

1990

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18131 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Smutty

1982

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Iggy Pop

1981

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Jim, Sausalito

1977 · original 36 x 36 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19036 × 36 cm Commission at original size

Leather Crotch

1980 · original 35 x 35 cm

Robert Mapplethorpe’s "Leather Crotch" (1980) – a striking black & white study of texture & form. Explore this iconic photographic masterpiece, embodying BDSM themes and minimalist design.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 32 artworks by Robert Yarber
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$18835 × 35 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Robert Yarber

1948 – 1989

Quick facts

Copyright statusUnder copyright
Art periodModern
Movementscontemporary realism
Room fitliving room
Typical colorsearthy, neutrals
Creative periodsmature period, late period
Works on APS32
Corpus themesduchamp, cornell

Biography

A Life Forged in Form: The World of Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert Mapplethorpe, a name synonymous with both breathtaking beauty and profound controversy, remains one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Born in Floral Park, New York, in 1946, his journey was not one of immediate artistic recognition but rather a gradual evolution fueled by experimentation, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to exploring the boundaries of form and desire. Initially drawn to graphic arts at Pratt Institute, Mapplethorpe quickly found himself chafing against traditional academic constraints, ultimately leaving before completing his degree. This departure wasn’t a rejection of art itself, but a search for a medium that could more directly translate his burgeoning vision – a vision deeply influenced by artists like Joseph Cornell and Marcel Duchamp, whose embrace of the found object and conceptual play resonated with his own developing aesthetic sensibilities. These early years were marked by mixed-media collages, intricate assemblages born from salvaged materials and cut images, hinting at the formal precision and thematic concerns that would later define his photographic work.

The Polaroid Genesis and a Creative Partnership

The pivotal moment arrived with the acquisition of a Polaroid camera in 1970. This wasn’t merely a change in tools; it was a revelation. The immediacy of the Polaroid process allowed Mapplethorpe to bypass traditional darkroom techniques, focusing instead on composition, light, and shadow – elements that would become hallmarks of his style. Initially, these Polaroids were integrated into his collages, but they soon began to assert their independence, revealing a unique power in their stark black and white tonality. Simultaneously, a deeply significant relationship blossomed with poet and musician Patti Smith. Their connection, spanning from 1967 to 1972, was one of mutual artistic support and inspiration. Smith became a frequent subject for Mapplethorpe’s lens, her raw energy and bohemian spirit captured in images that possess an intimate vulnerability. This period wasn't just about romantic partnership; it was a crucible where both artists honed their craft, challenging each other to push creative boundaries.

Mastering the Form: Style, Subjects, and Controversy

Mapplethorpe’s photographic style is characterized by a rigorous formalism – an emphasis on composition, symmetry, and the interplay of light and shadow reminiscent of classical sculpture. He wasn't simply documenting his subjects; he was *constructing* them, elevating everyday objects and human forms to iconic status through meticulous technique. His subject matter was remarkably diverse: celebrity portraits featuring figures like Andy Warhol and Deborah Harry, exquisitely rendered floral still lifes – particularly orchids and calla lilies – and strikingly intimate self-portraits. However, it was his exploration of the BDSM subculture in 1970s and 80s New York City that ignited significant controversy. These images, unflinching in their depiction of sexuality and power dynamics, challenged conventional notions of taste and morality, sparking debates about censorship and artistic freedom. Mapplethorpe didn’t shy away from these controversies; he embraced them as an inherent part of his artistic practice, believing that art should provoke thought and challenge societal norms. He frequently referenced religious or classical imagery within his work, creating a compelling dialogue between contemporary subjects and historical art forms, further complicating interpretations and adding layers of meaning.

Legacy and Lasting Impact

The mentorship of art curator Sam Wagstaff proved instrumental in Mapplethorpe’s career trajectory, providing crucial financial support and guidance during his formative years. Throughout the 1980s, Mapplethorpe exhibited extensively, gaining increasing recognition within the art world culminating in a major retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1988 – a landmark achievement that solidified his position as a significant contemporary artist. However, this success was shadowed by controversy surrounding *Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Moment* exhibition, which ignited fierce debates about public funding for art deemed obscene. Tragically, Mapplethorpe succumbed to AIDS in 1989, leaving behind a vast and complex body of work that continues to resonate today. Following his death, the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation was established to preserve his artistic legacy, support medical research related to HIV/AIDS, and promote photography as an art form. His influence extends far beyond the realm of photography, impacting generations of artists with his bold exploration of sexuality, formalist approach, and unwavering commitment to pushing creative boundaries. Robert Mapplethorpe’s work remains a subject of ongoing discussion and analysis, cementing his place as one of the most important – and often challenging – American artists of the 20th century. He elevated photography to a respected art form, proving that it could be more than just documentation; it could be sculpture, poetry, and provocation all rolled into one striking image.

Questions & Answers

What moods do Robert Yarber's artworks express?

The artist's Mood Room page shows Robert Yarber's artworks arranged by their atmosphere.

How is Robert Yarber's career divided into periods?

The Chronicle of Robert Yarber is a scroll-driven timeline that presents the artist's works in chronological order, grouped into career-period chapters.

Can I explore Robert Yarber's works by subject?

The Subject Atlas of Robert Yarber is a page that maps the artist's artworks by their subjects.

By the WahooArt.com Editorial Team Updated Oct. 5, 2026

Collector's quiz

Robert Mapplethorpe initially studied what at Pratt Institute?
Which artist significantly influenced Mapplethorpe's early work, leading him to experiment with mixed media collages?
Mapplethorpe’s style was characterized by an emphasis on what?
What sparked considerable controversy surrounding Mapplethorpe's work?
Who provided crucial mentorship and resources to Robert Mapplethorpe early in his career?

one You choose the size

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two We paint and send a preview

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three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

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