Patti Smith 1975
Dimensions: support: 341 x 341 mm
Copyright: © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Editor: This is Robert Mapplethorpe's photograph "Patti Smith," from the Tate collection. It's arresting. The lighting and her gaze create such a powerful presence. What do you make of it? Curator: It’s a dance, isn't it? Mapplethorpe, with his knowing lens, capturing Smith before she fully bloomed into the icon we know. The raw vulnerability… almost like a secret whispered between artist and subject, and now us. What do you feel when you look at her eyes? Editor: There's a strength, but also a fragility. It's like she's daring you to look closer. Curator: Exactly! And Mapplethorpe, ever the alchemist, knew how to bottle that lightning. It's not just a portrait; it’s a glimpse into a becoming. It's a testament to their creative kinship. Editor: I see that now. It’s more than just a photo; it's a moment, a feeling. Curator: A feeling perfectly preserved! A reminder that art is often about the unspoken, the shared breath between the creator and the muse.
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http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/mapplethorpe-patti-smith-ar00185
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In this black and white portrait photograph the singer-songwriter Patti Smith is framed from her waist up and stands against a plain white background. She wears a loose white shirt which is roughly rolled up at the sleeves, with the top buttons undone. A thin chain hangs around her neck, the rest of which is tucked under her shirt, and a thin black band is worn on her right wrist. A black ribbon with a dulled shine and frayed ends is draped loosely around her neck. Smith tugs one end of the ribbon with her left hand, gripping it with two fingers. This introduces a diagonal to the composition that contrasts with the dark vertical line down the centre of the image where the ribbon falls from Smith’s neck in front of her body towards her waist. The singer’s right arm is raised and bent at the elbow. Her wrist bends delicately towards her face while her fingers form a loose fist. This raised arm causes the axis of her body to slope diagonally in the same direction as the ribbon she is holding. Smith looks directly at the camera. Her eyes are narrowed very slightly and her mouth is partially open. Her dark tousled hair frames her face and neck, while her fringe covers her forehead.
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