The book "Robert Mapplethorpe: The Photographs" delves into the impactful legacy of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe (1946–1989). It draws from collections acquired by the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, alongside the Mapplethorpe Archive at the Getty Research Institute. This examination offers new insights into Mapplethorpe's artistic journey, presenting a rich array of his work, from boundary-pushing portraits to elegant still lifes. Issued alongside the "Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium" exhibition, the book becomes a crucial resource for understanding Mapplethorpe's influence on contemporary photography and artists.