Robert Mapplethorpe. Le forme del desiderio
The exhibition
The exhibition Robert Mapplethorpe. Le forme del desiderio arrives at Palazzo Reale in Milan with an extensive and unprecedented selection of the artist’s most iconic, powerful, and nonconformist works.The exhibition offers visitors to Milan—even during the Olympic and Paralympic period—a unique opportunity to experience the work of the American photographer, one of the most original, refined, and provocative figures of the twentieth century.
©Andrea Avezzu
©Andrea Avezzu
©Andrea Avezzu
©Andrea Avezzu
©Andrea Avezzu
Born in New York in 1946 and passing away in Boston at the age of just forty-two, Mapplethorpe was among the most significant interpreters of the counterculture from the 1960s through the 1980s, a period when creativity became a political act and the arts merged into new languages of freedom and identity.
Promoted by the City of Milan – Culture, and produced by Palazzo Reale and Marsilio Arte in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation in New York, the exhibition is part of the cultural programme of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Curated by Denis Curti, the exhibition will be on view at Palazzo Reale from 29 January to 17 May 2026.
The retrospective Robert Mapplethorpe. Le forme del desiderio represents the second chapter of a broader trilogy that began in Venice at Le Stanze della Fotografia and will continue in Rome. Each exhibition explores a different aspect of Mapplethorpe’s life and work through a dedicated path of study and research.
In Milan, the focus is on his aesthetic exploration: his sensual nudes, distinguished by formal perfection and an Olympian Greek mimesis in which musculature and physical tension are exalted: the body, sculpted through his masterful use of light and contrast, becomes the means through which his artistic investigation reaches sublimation.
The exhibition is accompanied by a podcast – available from 21 October on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms – Mapplethorpe Unframed, written and hosted by Nicolas Ballario, and by a catalogue published by Marsilio Arte, exploring the artist’s body of work and the evolution of his visual language through 257 photographs.
News ed Eventi
Private events
On the occasion of the exhibition, the organizers are pleased to offer companies the opportunity to use the prestigious spaces of Palazzo Reale for convivial gala events, such as dinners or cocktail parties, combined with an exclusive tour of the exhibition. These events can take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting at 8:00 PM. For information, contact mostre.milano@marsilioarte.it.
The exhibition Robert Mapplethorpe. Le forme del desiderio arrives at Palazzo Reale in Milan with an extensive and unprecedented selection of the artist’s most iconic, powerful, and nonconformist works.
The exhibition offers visitors to Milan—even during the Olympic and Paralympic period—a unique opportunity to experience the work of the American photographer, one of the most original, refined, and provocative figures of the twentieth century.
The exhibition offers visitors to Milan—even during the Olympic and Paralympic period—a unique opportunity to experience the work of the American photographer, one of the most original, refined, and provocative figures of the twentieth century.
The Exhibition
The exhibition Robert Mapplethorpe. Le forme del desiderio arrives at Palazzo Reale in Milan with an extensive and unprecedented selection of the artist’s most iconic, powerful, and nonconformist works.The exhibition offers visitors to Milan—even during the Olympic and Paralympic period—a unique opportunity to experience the work of the American photographer, one of the most original, refined, and provocative figures of the twentieth century.
©Andrea Avezzu
©Andrea Avezzu
©Andrea Avezzu
©Andrea Avezzu
©Andrea Avezzu
Born in New York in 1946 and passing away in Boston at the age of just forty-two, Mapplethorpe was among the most significant interpreters of the counterculture from the 1960s through the 1980s, a period when creativity became a political act and the arts merged into new languages of freedom and identity.
Promoted by the City of Milan – Culture, and produced by Palazzo Reale and Marsilio Arte in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation in New York, the exhibition is part of the cultural programme of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Curated by Denis Curti, the exhibition will be on view at Palazzo Reale from 29 January to 17 May 2026.
The retrospective Robert Mapplethorpe. Le forme del desiderio represents the second chapter of a broader trilogy that began in Venice at Le Stanze della Fotografia and will continue in Rome. Each exhibition explores a different aspect of Mapplethorpe’s life and work through a dedicated path of study and research.
In Milan, the focus is on his aesthetic exploration: his sensual nudes, distinguished by formal perfection and an Olympian Greek mimesis in which musculature and physical tension are exalted: the body, sculpted through his masterful use of light and contrast, becomes the means through which his artistic investigation reaches sublimation.
The exhibition is accompanied by a podcast – available from 21 October on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms – Mapplethorpe Unframed, written and hosted by Nicolas Ballario, and by a catalogue published by Marsilio Arte, exploring the artist’s body of work and the evolution of his visual language through 257 photographs.
Plan your visit
Opening HoursTuesday to Sunday: 10 am – 7.30 pm
Thursday: 10 am – 10.30 pm
Last admission: one hour before closing
Closed Monday
Opening hours on holidays:
Sunday, April 5 (Easter): 10 am – 7.30 pm
Monday, April 6 (Angel Monday): 10 am – 7.30 pm
Saturday, April 25 (Liberation Day): 10 am – 7.30 pm
Friday, May 1st (Workers’ Day): 10 am – 7.30 pm
TICKETS
Open entrance
€ 17.00
Ticket without a predetermined date and time, also available for purchase at the ticket office (valid three hours after sale/reservation).
Entire entry
€ 15.00
Full ticket at predetermined date
Reduced Ticket
€ 13.00
Visitors aged 6 to 26; visitors over 65; Touring Club members with membership cards; FAI members with membership cards; CartaEffe la Feltrinelli and IBS holders; Coop Lombardia members with membership cards; FIAF members with membership cards; ticket holders participating in the initiative “Museum Mondays” (Poldi Pezzoli / Museo Teatrale alla Scala); military personnel; non-service law enforcement; teachers.
From March 15th to 30th, ticket holders will be able to enter the MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas (and vice versa).
€ 12.00
Holders of the Milan Card Museum in progress.
€ 10.00
students up to 25 years of age; persons with less than 100% disability; holders of a Card Musei Lombardia pass; Orticola members with a valid card; holders of an Orticola ticket (the reduction is applicable from 30 days before to 15 days after the annual Orticola exhibition).
€ 6.00
Civil Service volunteers working at the Municipality of Milan, upon presentation of their identification card.
Non-accredited journalists, with an OdG card bearing the current year’s stamp.
Special family entrance
1 or 2 adults + children (6 to 14 years)
Adult € 10.00
Children € 6.00
Free for children under 6 years
Special entrance schools
€ 6.00
Groups of students of every school order and grade, comprising a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 25 people.
Free admission for 2 companions for each group.
Microphoning system required and included in the price.
Groups entrance
€ 13.00
Groups of at least 15 and a maximum of 25 people, with free admission of a guide/companion for each group.
Microphoning system required and included in the price.
Entrance groups Touring Club or FAI
€ 6.00
Groups organised directly by the Touring Club or the FAI (to which the fixed right of pre-sale does not apply).
Free entry for 1 companion/guide for each group.
Microphoning system required and included in the price (pre-sale does not apply).
Free entry
Persons with 100% disability; children under 6; tourist guides certified with an identification card; one companion for each group; two companions for each school group; one companion for a person with a disability who presents needs; one companion and one guide for each Touring Club and FAI group; journalists accredited by the Press Office of the Municipality and the exhibition; employees of the Superintendency of Landscape and Architectural Heritage of Milan; ICOM members.
PRESALE
Pre-sale rights € 2.00
Pre-sale rights for schools € 1.00
The price of the ticket includes the audio guide, which can be downloaded with the QR code.
RESERVATION
Reservations are not required for access to the exhibitions, but strongly recommended to avoid waiting. On busy days such as Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, entry to unbooked visitors cannot be guaranteed.
On-site ticket offices are active during opening hours.
Reservations are always mandatory for groups.
For groups that need guidance or workshops call or send an email to Ad Artem.
For self-guided groups, call Vivaticket.
All details in the Info and Reservations section.
Disposable earphones are mandatory and additional charges may be charged if not already covered by the group.
Pre-sale costs are not included.
GUIDED TOURS
Curated by Ad Artem
The exhibition Robert Mapplethorpe. Le forme del desiderio is accompanied by a program of guided tours by Ad Artem, aimed at organized adult groups.
The tour offers a structured itinerary that spans the entire exhibition, from the first experimental collages to the most iconic photographs.
For more details, see the Educational section.
INFO AND RESERVATIONS
Ad Artem
info@adartem.it
tel. 02 6597728
Monday to Friday 09 am – 1 pm; 2 pm – 4 pm
Call Center Vivaticket
tel. +39 02 91446111
Monday to Friday 09 am – 6 pm
Saturday 09 am – 1 pm
Educational
Curated by Ad ArtemThe exhibition Robert Mapplethorpe. Le forme del desiderio is accompanied by a program of guided tours by Ad Artem, aimed at organized adult groups (max. 25 people per group).
The tour offers a structured itinerary that spans the entire exhibition, from the first experimental collages to the most iconic photographs.
Guided tour in ITA: €120.00
Guided tour in ENG: €140.00
Headphones: €2.00
Info and reservations
For groups that need guidance or workshops:
Ad Artem
info@adartem.it
tel. 02 6597728
Monday to Friday 09 am – 1 pm; 2 pm – 4 pm
For self-guided groups:
Call Center Vivaticket
tel. +39 02 91446111
Monday to Friday 09 am – 6 pm
Saturday 09 am – 1 pm
News and Events
Privat events
On the occasion of the exhibition, the organizers are pleased to offer companies the opportunity to use the prestigious spaces of Palazzo Reale for convivial gala events, such as dinners or cocktail parties, combined with an exclusive tour of the exhibition. These events can take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting at 8:00 PM. For information, contact mostre.milano@marsilioarte.it.
Press
Exhibition Press Office – Giulia Zanichelli: +39 347 4415077; giulia@giuliazanichelli.itMarsilio Arte – Giovanna Ambrosano: + 39 338 4546387; g.ambrosano@marsilioarte.it ufficio.stampa@marsilioarte.it
Comune di Milano – Cultura
Head of Communication: Elena Conenna elenamaria.conenna@comune.milano.it
Press Office: Silvia Egiziano silvia.egiziano@comune.milano.it
Press kit >
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