Last night the J. Paul Getty Museum kicked off its landmark retrospective exhibition of the work of Robert Mapplethorpe in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The simultaneous exhibitions feature work drawn from the joint Getty/LACMA acquisition of art and archives made in 2011 from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, and include both his most iconic images and lesser-known photographs. Check out some of the Instagram pics from the big event below.

Finally :) #mapplethorpe #gettyinspired

A photo posted by Matt Kluk (@a_divine_comedy) on Mar 14, 2016 at 9:31pm PDT

Director Timothy Potts welcomes a record crowd to the opening of “Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium.” #photography #mapplethorpe #mapplethorpela

A photo posted by The J. Paul Getty Museum (@gettymuseum) on Mar 14, 2016 at 7:28pm PDT

#Repost @stewartshining ・・・ In LA even the museum directors look like #moviestars ! #TimothyPotts the director of @gettymuseum and #MichaelGovan director of @lacma taking in the moment celebrating their groundbreaking shared gift of the #RobertMapplethorpe #archive to their museums. #exrtaordinarymen #extraordinarymuseums 📸📸👍🏻👍🏻‼️‼️

A photo posted by The J. Paul Getty Museum (@gettymuseum) on Mar 15, 2016 at 9:00am PDT

#mapplethorpe #robertsherman #offthewall #complete

A photo posted by Matt Kluk (@a_divine_comedy) on Mar 14, 2016 at 11:34pm PDT

@const67 attends opening night #mapplethorpe the perfect medium @thegetty pic by @fentonjbailey

A photo posted by @mapplethorpe_lookatthepictures on Mar 15, 2016 at 12:45am PDT

“Obviously this is a very emotional day. I had the rare privilege to be the youngest of six siblings and I grew up with Robert Mapplethorpe as a brother. I am probably his earliest fan and admirer. From an early age I knew there was something special about Robert Mapplethorpe. I was mesmerized by the way he carried himself, the way he spoke and dressed. He became a mentor of mine. My dream was to work with Robert and I was fortunate to do so for many years.” — Edward Mapplethorpe speaking today at the #‎mapplethorpela press preview. Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium opens tomorrow. #photography #mapplethorpe

A photo posted by The J. Paul Getty Museum (@gettymuseum) on Mar 14, 2016 at 2:39pm PDT

Speaking to the press @gettymuseum for the opening of The Perfect Medium #mapplethorpela #mapplethorpe #theperfectme 😀

A photo posted by Edward (@edwardmapplethorpe) on Mar 15, 2016 at 10:46am PDT

Buzzing with excitement at #mapplethorpela press preview. The exhibition opens to the public tomorrow.

A photo posted by The J. Paul Getty Museum (@gettymuseum) on Mar 14, 2016 at 1:44pm PDT

Opening night @gettymuseum w/ mom @susanspiritusgallery. Great show. 📸 #GeneSpiritus. @akalisalisa you were missed #photography #fineart #getty #gettymuseum #mapplethorpe #mapplethorpela #la #laart

A photo posted by Margo Spiritus (@margospiritus) on Mar 15, 2016 at 9:33am PDT

@gettymuseum #theperfectmedium #mapplethorpe amazing exhibit bridging LA #IliveLA

A photo posted by ILiveLA (@perdidaecalifornia) on Mar 14, 2016 at 12:05pm PDT

A beautiful Spring night at The Getty launch of their Robert Mapplethorpe exhibition. #emstake1artseries @thegetty #robertmapplethorpe #thegetty

A photo posted by Eric Minh Swenson (@ericminhswenson) on Mar 14, 2016 at 6:55pm PDT

A beautiful Spring night at The Getty launch of their Robert Mapplethorpe exhibition. #emstake1artseries @thegetty #robertmapplethorpe #thegetty

A photo posted by Eric Minh Swenson (@ericminhswenson) on Mar 14, 2016 at 6:55pm PDT

Britt Salvesen, department head and curator, LACMA, moments before her public remarks on the launch of Robert Mapplethorpe : The Perfect Medium. #emstake1artseries @lacma

A photo posted by Eric Minh Swenson (@ericminhswenson) on Mar 14, 2016 at 9:55am PDT