A portrait of Patti Smith on the cover of “Horses”
One of his stark portraits of Patti Smith is used as the cover of her 1975 debut album, “Horses”.
late summer 1976
Holly Solomon starts representing him
Unimpressed by his erotic photographs but admiring his portraits, Holly Solomon “auditions” Mapplethorpe as she had other artists who made her portrait: he photographs her reclining on her bed and later presents her with a framed triptych. She agrees to represent him, valuing his understanding of contemporary painting, sculpture and photography and swayed by Wagstaff’s endorsement; in November a photograph of a Dalmatian by him is included in the group show “Animals” at her gallery.
1977
Takes part in Documenta 6 in Kassel
Holly Solomon successfully advocates for Mapplethorpe’s work to be included in Documenta 6 in Kassel, Germany.
1977
Leaves Solomon for Robert Miller
Feeling that Solomon is not promoting him enough and that an uptown gallery would balance his provocative image, Mapplethorpe moves to Robert Miller, who has opened a gallery at 724 Fifth Avenue: Patti Smith accepts Miller’s offer to show her drawings on condition that Mapplethorpe is included in a joint exhibition, and Miller, at first reluctant to represent a photographer with sadomasochistic work, agrees.
February 1977
Solo show of portraits, and the erotic work at The Kitchen
The Holly Solomon Gallery presents a solo exhibition of Mapplethorpe’s portraits, while his erotic photographs are shown separately at The Kitchen in SoHo.
