The photograph “Brian Ridley and Lyle Heeter” was captured by the artist Robert Mapplethorpe in 1979. It is a black and white image depicting two men dressed in full leather outfits typically associated with the BDSM subculture. The man seated appears to be bound by chains to a chair, while the standing man, wearing a leather cap and glasses, exudes an air of dominance. The interior setting includes traditional elements like draperies, a table lamp, and decorative items, which create a stark contrast to the unconventional subject matter of the portrait, highlighting the juxtaposition of the subculture within a seemingly ordinary domestic environment.
