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Mapplethorpe's Influence on Takeuchi

Contents

Introduction
Commentary
Implications
Sources Cited

Introduction

This is essentially a brief commentary of the artist Mapplethorpe's influence on the artwork of Takeuchi Naoko (most specifically her painting of Endymion and Serenity) as shown below. Most of the information has been provided by my friend Sharla-chan; she was also the person who told me about the parallel.

Commentary

There is an interesting parallel between the painting on the back of tankoubon #3 of Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon and one particular work of Robert Mapplethrope. Robert Mapplethrope is noted for his pictures of gay males in various S & M poses and for his photographs of flowers. The particular Mapplethrope painting being referred to above is titled "Self-portait" and was produced in 1988.

One can notice the almost identical poses in Endymion and Mapplethorpe. Coupled with the skull sceptre, the evidence seems to almost overwhelmingly support the theory that this particular painting was influenced by Mapplethrope's work. The similarities are too great to explain by coincidence.

Some criticism on Mapplethorpe's self portrait states "The skull reminds the viewer that the material world...is fleeting and that death is the end of all things." [Deletion] "Mapplethorpe means to draw an analogy between his own face and the skull that tops the cane he holds. We are invited to see death in his face. When this self-portrait was taken, Mapplethorpe was HIV-positive. Soon after, in the spring of 1989, he died of AIDS." [Deletion] "But, he also means the 'Self-portrait' to be read as a mirror...that he holds up to us. He means us to see ourselves in its light" (Sayre 49).

Implications

Since this particular painting was placed on the rear cover of the tankoubon where Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion are killed and reborn, it seems highly probable that there may be additional meaning attached to the painting than what seems apparent at first look.

This painting now seems to strengthen the significance of Endymion's death in the tankoubon due both to the gaunt features on Endymion and the skull sceptor. Like in Mapplethrope's painting, this imagery again suggests a transience of life which in turn foreshadows the events of the tankoubon.

The work of Takeuchi shown above is one of the very few ones that is titled. With the Latin words for "Dream of Death" as the work's title, the 'carpe diem' theme may be suggested. This ties in well with the observations noted above.

Some caution must be taken in over-interpreting the similarity between the two pieces of art. For this reason, the interpretation made is rather minimal; most likely, some other observations can also be reasonably made.

Sources Cited

Antigone. Re: Brief commentary. E-mail to pretty-soldier@sailor-moon.net. 24 October 1999.
Mitchell, Eddie. Re: [sailor-moon]Brief commentary E-mail to Stephen Congly. 25 October 1999.
Sayre, Henry M. A World of Art 3rd Ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1994.
Sharla-chan. Good Stuffs for You. E-mail to Stephen Congly. 23 October 1999.
Takeuchi, Naoko. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon #3 Japan: Kondansha Comics, 1993.