Robert Mapplethorpe's 'Le forma del desiderio' at Palazzo Reale, Milan

The exhibition 'Robert Mapplethorpe. Le forma del desiderio' at Palazzo Reale in Milan presents over 200 photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989), curated by Denis Curti. Running from January 29 to May 17, 2026, the show is organized into distinct sections that trace the artist's human and artistic journey. Mapplethorpe's work is known for its controversial, anticonformist content, but the exhibition emphasizes his aesthetic research and ability to reveal the complexities of his subjects—whether people, objects, or flowers. His expressive lexicon transforms debate and conflict between elegance and provocation into singular beauty. The photographs echo classical purity of lineaments, tempering audacious readings. Mapplethorpe's portraits, including those of Patti Smith and Isabella Rossellini, delve into the soul, while his nudes and flowers insist on voluptuous sculptural plasticity. The exhibition is promoted by the Comune di Milano – Cultura, produced by Palazzo Reale and Marsilio Arte in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, New York, with support from Radio Capital, InViaggioCon Corriere della Sera, Coop Lombardia, and La Viarte. The catalog is published by Marsilio Arte. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-19:30, Thursday 10:00-22:30, closed Monday. Tickets: open €17, full €15, reduced €13/€10, family rates available. Audio guide included.