Ten by Ten presents a representative selection from the photographic oeuvre of Robert Mapplethorpe, one of the most influential photographers of the twentieth century. Organised into ten thematic series, each comprising ten images, the book showcases the remarkable versatility of his work. Alongside the controversial photographs for which he became famous, the publication also includes elegant portraits, tranquil floral still lifes, classical nude studies and carefully composed object photographs. The accompanying text by Els Barents situates Mapplethorpe?s photography within the context of art history and demonstrates how his fascination with form, perfection, light and composition led to images that are both classical and provocative. Robert Mapplethorpe (1946?1989) was an American photographer who gained international renown for his technically sophisticated black-and-white photography. His body of work includes portraits of artists, writers and musicians, floral still lifes, sculptural nudes and controversial images centred on sexuality and identity. His work has had a lasting influence on the development of contemporary art photography. Els Barents is a Dutch art historian and curator, specialising in modern and contemporary art. She was affiliated with the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam for many years and has published various studies on photography and the visual arts.