Robert Mapplethorpe is known for being a controversial photographer. He often combines delicate elements such as flowers and people covered in leather or naked. This particular photo is controversial because of the poses. The subjects of the photo are both men, but they are in traditionally feminine poses. He uses symmetry and attention to detail to bring the photo together. The juxtaposition of a black man and a white man in the black and white photo adds an unforeseen level of depth to this photo. While many can rave about the attributes of this photo and how it breaks stereotypes around the world, Mapplethorpe is also one of the most criticized photographers. The reason for this is because he has used naked men and pre-pubescent boys as subjects. Though some may view photographs of naked men groundbreaking, others find it horrifying. Women have been portrayed naked in art since the beginning of time, and men have as well in their own right in sculpture. For some reason many find photos of naked men startling instead of artistic and beautiful. I think that having the men pose like women and emphasize body parts such as the line of the legs and the silhouette of their bodies is imaginative and unconventional. I do however draw the line at young naked boys. Naked children should be off-limits in art. It walks the line of child pornography and the exploitation of children. No one that young can fully consent and thus should not be exploited.
