By the time this image was taken in 1983 Mapplethorpe and Warhol had already met on several occasions and this was one of four portraits he made over the years.
Mapplethorpe was influenced by Warhol early in his career, and his move to Manhattan in 1969 was partially motivated by his desire to befriend Warhol. The singer Patti Smith noted that he ‘loved Andy Warhol and considered him our most important living artist. It was as close to hero worship as he ever got’.
In the same year that this photograph was taken Warhol created a black and white silkscreen portrait of Mapplethorpe, which Robert hung in his living room on West 23rd Street as the ‘ultimate symbol’ of his success.

This is a genuine vintage photogravure, printed in 1985. 10" x 10" archivally mounted on 100% acid-free board with printed signature label verso and matted in a 12"x12" black wooden frame.