Page "Robert Mapplethorpe" Paragraph 1

Mapplethorpe was born and grew up as a Roman Catholic of English and Irish heritage in Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Floral Park, Queens, New York.

His parents were Harry and Joan Mapplethorpe and he grew up with five brothers and sisters.

He studied for a B. F. A.

from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where he majored in graphic arts, though he dropped out in 1969 before finishing his degree.

Mapplethorpe lived with his partner Patti Smith from 1967 – 1974, and she supported him by working in bookstores.

They created art together, and even after he realized he was gay, they maintained a close relationship.