Guy Hepner Gallery

Robert Mapplethorpe Flower For Sale

Robert Mapplethorpe
Robert Mapplethorpe - Flower, 1983, silver gelatin print

Flower, 1983

silver gelatin print

20 x 16 in. | 50.8 x 40.6 cm

Edition

Edition of 10

About this work

Robert Mapplethorpe remains one of the most influential photographers of the twentieth century, commanding significant attention at auction and within institutional collections worldwide. His work resides in the permanent holdings of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the J. Paul Getty Museum, among numerous other prestigious institutions. The market for Mapplethorpe's photographs has demonstrated remarkable strength, with his floral studies particularly sought after by collectors who recognize their central importance within his oeuvre. Flower from 1983 exemplifies Mapplethorpe's refined approach to botanical subjects, a genre he elevated to new heights of formal sophistication. The silver gelatin print presents its subject with the artist's characteristic precision, exploiting the medium's capacity for tonal gradation and exquisite detail. Mapplethorpe treated flowers with the same intensity and compositional rigor he brought to his portraits and figure studies, transforming organic forms into sculptural presences. The interplay of light and shadow across petal and stem reveals his debt to classical aesthetics while asserting a distinctly modern sensibility. There is an intimacy and eroticism embedded within these botanical works that connects them to the broader themes of beauty, mortality, and desire that permeate his practice. This work is offered from an edition of ten, a limited number that reflects the artist's commitment to maintaining the exclusivity and collectibility of his photographic editions. Works from similarly sized editions have performed strongly at auction, underscoring sustained collector demand. Guy Hepner invites inquiries from collectors seeking to acquire this distinguished example of Mapplethorpe's celebrated floral series.

Price on Application

Edition & Provenance

Year
1983
Medium
silver gelatin print
Edition
Edition of 10

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About the Flowers Series

Andy Warhol's Flowers stand among the most recognisable and widely collected images in twentieth-century printmaking. 64–73) published by Factory Additions.

The composition is deceptively simple: four flat hibiscus blooms hovering against a densely abstracted ground of grass. Warhol stripped the image of depth and naturalism, rendering the petals as bold, poster-flat shapes that float between the decorative and the abstract.

The source image was a photograph of hibiscus flowers by Patricia Caulfield, originally published in a 1964 photography magazine.

Edition and Production Details

The 1970 portfolio comprises ten screenprints on Arches 88 paper, each measuring approximately 36 × 36 inches. The edition consists of 250 signed and numbered impressions plus 26 artist's proofs, published by Factory Additions, New York.

Market and Price Context

The Flowers prints occupy a stable and liquid corner of the Warhol market. Individual screenprints from the 1970 edition typically trade between $25,000 and $80,000 at auction, with price determined by colourway, condition, freshness to market and provenance.

Part of the series' enduring market resilience lies in its decorative versatility — the images sit comfortably in both rigorous Pop collections and contemporary interiors — combined with deep institutional validation.

Authentication

Given the image's popularity, careful authentication is essential. 64–73) and should display the correct paper (Arches 88), dimensions, signature and stamped numbering. Provenance documentation and condition reporting — with attention to light exposure, paper tone and any restoration — are central to valuation.

Acquiring a Warhol Flowers Print

Guy Hepner regularly handles Flowers prints across the full range of colourways and price points, from accessible entry examples to the most coveted variants. Whether you are acquiring your first Warhol or refining an established collection, our specialists can advise on availability, condition and current market value.

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Flower

About Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert Mapplethorpe’s photography commands a robust and consistently strong presence in the global auction market, reflecting his indelible impact on 20th-century art and culture. His works are highly sought after by private collectors and institutions alike, demonstrating enduring investment value.

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