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Francesca Woodman. "Fish Calendar--6 days," c. 1977-78, 3 7/8 x 3 13/16 in. Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

Happy birthday to Francesca Woodman

On this day, we celebrate the extraordinarily talented Francesca Woodman.

L to R: Francesca Woodman. "Blueprint for a Temple (II)," 1980, 171 1/2 x 125 in. Diazotype collage with gelatin silver prints. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. / Images 2-3: Detail of "Blueprint for a Temple (II)," 1980 / Installation view of “Francesca Woodman,” Gagosian Gallery, New York, 2024

Francesca Woodman. "Blueprint for a Temple (II)," 1980, 171 1/2 x 125 in. Diazotype collage with gelatin silver prints. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

"Blueprint for a Temple (II)": Francesca Woodman. "Francesca Woodman," Gagosian, New York

"Blueprint for a Temple (II)," one of the largest and most ambitious of Francesca Woodman’s works, is on view for the first time in 44 years at Gagosian Gallery.

L to R: “Untitled,” from the “Angel” series, 1977, 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. Gelatin silver print. / O’Hagan, Sean. “Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In review – an intriguing double act.” “The Guardian,” 2024. / Quote from “Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In review – an intriguing double act” / “Self-Portrait at Thirteen,” c. 1972, 6 3/4 x 6 11/16 in. Gelatin silver print. All artworks by Francesca Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.

Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” from the “Angel” series, 1977, 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.

"Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In" in "The Guardian," 2024

In this review on "The Guardian" of “Portraits to Dream In,” Sean O’Hagan underscores the “intriguing pairing” of Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron by curator Magdalene Keaney at National Portrait Gallery.

L to R: Images 1-2: Lubow, Arthur. “Francesca Woodman’s Crowning Achievement, and Mystery.” “The New York Times,” 2024. / Quote from “Francesca Woodman’s Crowning Achievement, and Mystery.” / Installation view of “Francesca Woodman,” Gagosian Gallery, New York, 2024. / “Untitled,” c. 1977-78, 5 3/4 x 5 3/4 in. (14.605 x 14.605 cm). Gelatin silver print. / "Lightning” or “Lightning Legs,” 1976, 5 3/8 x 5 3/8 in. (13.653 x 13.653 cm). Gelatin silver print. All artworks by Francesca Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

Lubow, Arthur. “Francesca Woodman’s Crowning Achievement, and Mystery.” “The New York Times,” 2024.

Francesca Woodman in "The New York Times," March 2024

In today's "New York Times," critic Arthur Lubow sheds light on “Blueprint for a Temple (II)” (currently on view at Gagosian Gallery), a monumental diazotype collage discovered in summer 2022—41 years after the passing of Francesca Woodman.

L to R: Images 1-2: Installation view, “Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In” at National Portrait Gallery, London, 2024 / Francesca Woodman. "Untitled," 1979, 7 3/8 x 9 1/2 in. (18.6 x 24 cm). Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London / Julia Margaret Cameron. "The Dream," 1869, 305 x 240 mm. Albumen print. Wilson Center for Photography. / Images 5-6: Poster for “Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In” at National Portrait Gallery, London, 2024

Installation view, “Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In” at National Portrait Gallery, London, 2024

OPENING Thursday, March 21: "Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In," National Portrait Gallery, March 21-June 16, 2024

"Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In" offers fresh perspectives on the work of two of the most influential women in the history of photography who lived and worked nearly a century apart.

All works by Francesca Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London. L to R: "Untitled," c. 1977-78, 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 in. Gelatin silver print. / "Angels, Calendar Notebook," c. 1977-78, 8 3/4 x 7 in. Found notebook with gelatin silver prints. / "Untitled," c. 1977-78, 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 in. Gelatin silver print. / "Untitled," c. 1977-78, 4 9/16 x 4 11/16 in. Gelatin silver print. / "Some Disordered Interior Geometries," c. 1980-81, 9 x 6.5 in. Found notebook with gelatin silver prints. / Woodman, Francesca. "Francesca Woodman: The Artist's Books." MACK, 2023 © MACK

"Untitled," c. 1977-78, 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 in. Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.

“Francesca Woodman: The Artist’s Books” in London

Francesca Woodman’s eight unique artist books demonstrate the artist’s nuanced and sophisticated approach to narrative and sequencing. Don’t miss two opportunities in London to learn more about these remarkable works.

All artworks by Francesca Woodman. L to R: "Untitled," c. 1979-80, 10 3/16 x 10 1/16 in. / "Untitled," c. 1979-80, 6 1/16 x 6 1/8 in. / "Self-Deceit #4," from the "Self-Deceit" series, 1978, 3 9/16 x 3 9/16 in. "From Space²" or "Space²," from the "Space²" series, 1976, 5 3/8 x 5 5/16 in. All gelatin silver prints.

"Untitled," c. 1979-80, 10 3/16 x 10 1/16 in. Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

OPENING Wednesday, March 13: "Francesca Woodman," Gagosian, March 13-April 27, 2024

Gagosian’s inaugural exhibition of works by Francesca Woodman presents key prints made by the artist from approximately 1975 through 1980. The photographs on view represent a culmination of Woodman’s exploration of the figure in space and prompt a reconsideration of how she drew on classical sculpture and architecture throughout her career.

Customs declaration form penned by George Woodman. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

Across oceans and borders, a customs declaration became a promise: FROM THE ARCHIVES...

Around 1952, a young George Woodman in Cambridge, Massachusetts, penned his devotion on a USPS customs form: “Little box with littler box inside” and “1 engagement ring of Navajo silver with turquoises.” The precious 4-ounce package was destined for the hands of Elizabeth Abrahams (later to be known as Betty Woodman) across the ocean in Fiesole, Italy, where she had been living and working for the past year.

L to R: Images 1-4: Betty Woodman’s brushes / Detail of "Roman Girls," 2008, 35 x 70 x 11 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint / Detail of "History of the Amphora," 2011, 6 ft. x 8 ft. x 1 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint / Detail of “Country House,” 2005, 66 x 32 x 9 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer / Woodman’s glazes / Detail of "Spring Wall Relief," 2009, 60 x 48 x 1 in. Glazed earthenware / Detail of "His and Hers Vases: Ferris Wheel," 2006, 28.5 x 73 x 14.5 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / All works by Betty Woodman. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

Betty Woodman’s brushes. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

Betty Woodman's glazes, paints, and brushes: FROM THE ARCHIVES...

Betty Woodman’s numerous glazes, paints, and the varied configurations of brushes—sometimes mixed or assembled by the artist herself to achieve desired color swatches, brushy marks, and parallel stripes—reflect her continuously innovative work with ceramic forms.

L to R: Betty Woodman, Francesca Woodman and Nancy Graves in Italy, 1966 / Charlie Woodman and Richard Serra in Italy, 1966 / Betty Woodman with Nancy Graves, Richard Serra and unknown friend in Italy, 1965. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

Betty Woodman, Francesca Woodman and Nancy Graves in Italy, 1966. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.

The Woodmans, Nancy Graves and Richard Serra in Italy: FROM THE ARCHIVES...

Over the course of a year from 1965-66, the Woodman family lived and worked in Italy, just outside of Florence. During that time, Betty and George became close friends with the artists and then-couple Nancy Graves and Richard Serra, who, like Betty, was there for the year on a Fulbright-Hays scholarship. They spent many hours together around the table, sharing meals, funny hats and conversations about art.

L to R: George Woodman, c. 1963 from slide preserver with slides most likely from his solo exhibition at Henderson Gallery, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1963. The installation views of such an early show in George's career are so exciting to see, especially since there are far fewer photos of these earlier shows / Photo of George’s New York studio with “Lattice Lady with Convolvulus,” 1986 visible in the background. I love getting glimpses of the artist's studios and how the set up of them reflects the artist himself / George's Palazzo Pitti show in 1987 where he can be seen taking the photo in a mirror. I don't actually get to see images of George, so I liked that he set up this shot so that you could see him actually taking the photo / Overview of a small portion of slide cases in George's collection. Not the prettiest picture, but it's interesting to see the number of slide cases in the collection and George's handwriting on each of them / Slide preserver with slides from a trip to Spain in 1965 featuring photos of tiles, nature, and people. I like how even on a trip, George is still thinking about his art and taking photos of things that can inspire his own work / Slide of George Woodman. “Untitled #VIII,” c. 1980s. Monotype. 30 x 22 in. I thought it was interesting to see the process and sketch of an artwork and how it is different from the final product / Slide preserver “Pictures of house 1965” featuring the interior and exterior of the family’s house in Boulder, Colorado. It's a view into the personal life and residence of George, and one of the few times in the slides where it seems that none of the photos are related to any artworks or research / Slide of George Woodman. “Untitled,” 1966. A medium format slide of one of George's earlier paintings that I really enjoyed / Slide preserver with slides from a trip to Morocco featuring photos of tiles, pottery, and the landscape. George is still thinking about his art and took photos of things that would inspire his own work. All materials George Woodman Collection, Woodman Family Foundation Archives, New York.

George Woodman, c. 1963 from slide preserver with slides most likely from his solo exhibition at Henderson Gallery, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1963. George Woodman Collection, Woodman Family Foundation Archives, New York.

A glimpse into George Woodman's slide collection: FROM THE ARCHIVES...

Our archival intern Erin Moss, who is in her second year at the Pratt School of Information earning her MLIS, has been processing George Woodman's extensive slide collection this semester. The slide collection consists of thousands of 35mm or medium format slides from the 1950s through the early 2000s documenting both George's work and personal life. Erin has been struck by the experience of discovering an artist through their own archival materials.

L to R: All artworks by Betty Woodman. “Green Checks,” 2014. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood. 60 1/2 x 43 x 10 1/4 in. Photo: Brian Forrest / “Tuesday Afternoon,” 2016. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, acrylic paint, and canvas. 84 x 38 x 13 in. Photo: Jeff McLane / “From Nina’s Room,” 2016. Acrylic paint, pencil, ink, and collage on paper. 29 x 36 in. Photo: Phoebe d’Heurle. All images Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery.

Betty Woodman. “Green Checks,” 2014. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, and wood. 60 1/2 x 43 x 10 1/4 in. Courtesy of David Kordansky Gallery. Photo: Brian Forrest.

Betty Woodman at The ADAA Art Show

This solo presentation of wall-based works by Woodman focuses on the culminating phase of her 60-year career. The paintings on view--on canvas, ceramic, and paper--illuminate the artist's daring approach to materials and radical explorations of two- and three-dimensional form.