Robert Mapplethorpe’s Flowers stands as one of his most enduring series, where blossoms are elevated beyond still life into something sculptural, sensual, and quietly radical. Tulips, lilies, orchids, and irises are photographed with a precision that captures both their fragility and strength, echoing the same tension that runs throughout his portrait and figure work. The stark contrasts of light and shadow give the images a timeless, almost classical quality, while also hinting at the erotic charge that defined much of his practice.
 
This edition opens with a foreword by Patti Smith, Mapplethorpe’s lifelong friend and creative confidante. Her words frame the photographs not just as studies of beauty, but as part of an intimate artistic dialogue that shaped both of their careers.