Wagstaff: Before and After Mapplethorpe: A Biography

Focusing on Sam Wagstaff's transformative journey, the narrative explores his evolution from a 1940s society bachelor to a pioneering curator in the art world. His significant encounter with the young photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in 1972 not only shaped his legacy as a prominent collector but also positioned him as a key figure in American cultural discourse. Philip Gefter highlights Wagstaff's role as a lover and patron, emphasizing his influence on photography and the arts.