L to R: All artworks by George Woodman. “Three Views of Eleonora,” 2011. 18 x 24 in / “A Geometric Investigation II,” 2009. 24 x 20 in / “Variation on Vermeer,” 2010. 24 x 20 in / “Vermeer and Sleeping Eleonora,” 2010. 59 x 41 1/2 in / George Woodman with Eleonora Picheca, 2011. Courtesy Eleonora Picheca. All gelatin silver prints.
George Woodman. “Three Views of Eleonora,” 2011. 18 x 24 in. Gelatin silver print.
George Woodman's photographs of model Eleonora Picheca, 2008-2012
Thanks to Eleonora for sharing a photo of her and George laughing together (last slide). It reminded us of some of the beautiful photographs George took of her over the years when she sat for him in Italy (2008-2012).
L to R: Charles Woodman, Venice, Italy, 1966 / Charles Woodman and Francesca Woodman, Venice, Italy, 1966 / Betty Woodman and Charles Woodman, Venice, Italy, 1966.
Charles Woodman, Venice, Italy, 1966.
The Woodmans in Venice, Italy, 1966: From the Archives...
As this year’s Venice Biennale, “The Milk of Dreams,” nears its end, we’re reminded that over many decades Betty and George Woodman traveled to Venice to take in the Biennale. Their trip in 1966—pictured here—when the family spent the year in Italy, was likely Charlie and Francesca’s first of many visits there, to explore both the exhibition and this captivating city.
L to R: George Woodman, c. 1970s / George Woodman. “Loie with Sculpture as Herself,” 2007. Gelatin silver print / Painting by George Woodman, c. 1970s. Courtesy Remo Brindisi House Museum / George Woodman, c. 2010s.
George Woodman on view in collection of Remo Brindisi House Museum, Lido Di Spina, Italy
George Woodman on view in this collection of Remo Brindisi House Museum, Lido Di Spina, Italy.
Artworks L to R: George Woodman. “Beauty is Truth,” 1976. 52 x 52 in. Acrylic on canvas / Francesca Woodman. “Charlie the Model #10,” Providence, Rhode Island, 1976-77. 5 5/16 x 5 3/8 in. Vintage gelatin silver print / Betty Woodman. “Rain Forest Pillow Pitcher,” c. 1980s. 20 x 24 x 16 in. Glazed earthenware. Courtesy RISD Museum.
George Woodman. “Beauty is Truth,” 1976. 52 x 52 in. Acrylic on canvas.
RISD Museum Acquisitions
We’re thrilled that RISD Museum has acquired a group of important works by Betty, Francesca, and George Woodman from the Foundation’s holdings through a combination of museum funds and Foundation gifts. RISD occupies a singular place of importance for the Woodman family, from Francesca’s formative years there as a young artist and student to Betty’s 2005 solo exhibition at the museum and RISD Honorary Degree in 2009.
L to R: Betty Woodman, Italy, c. 1965-66 / Betty Woodman, Charles Woodman, and Francesca Woodman, Italy, c. 1960s / Charles Woodman and friend, Italy, c. 1966 / Betty Woodman and friends, Italy, c. 1966 / Betty Woodman, Francesca Woodman, and friend, Antella, Italy, c. 1968 / Betty Woodman and friends, Antella, Italy, c. 1980 / Betty Woodman, Antella, Italy, c. 1995 / George Woodman, Antella, Italy, c. 1995 / Betty Woodman, George Woodman, and friends, Antella, Italy, c. 1995.
Betty Woodman, Italy, c. 1965-66.
Dining al fresco with the Woodman family, c. 1960s-1995: From the Archives...
The Woodman family spent many summer days and evenings dining al fresco in Italy with family and friends throughout the years. Most of these snapshots were taken by George, who often had his camera in hand and documented their family life.
L to R: Betty Woodman, Charles Woodman, and Francesca Woodman, 1959 / George Woodman and Francesca Woodman, 1964 / Francesca Woodman, 1964 / 4-5: Charles Woodman, 1962 / Betty Woodman, 1959.
Betty Woodman, Charles Woodman, and Francesca Woodman, 1959
Summer with the Woodman family, 1959-1964: STAFF PICKS
Emma Horning is a Library and Information Science graduate student at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. As the Foundation’s Archives Intern, she has been digitizing photographic slides and prints in the collection and building a database to manage these archival materials: Summer brings us bountiful sun-drenched days. As a family, the Woodmans spent the summer months soaking in the potential the season brings.
L to R: All artworks by George Woodman. “Untitled,” 1969, ed. of 22. 20 x 28 in / “Untitled,” 1968, ed. of 19. 22 1/2 x 30 in. “Untitled,” c. 1970s. 28 x 20 in / “La Nuvola II,” 1970, ed. of 11. 39 1/4 x 28 in / All screenprints on paper.
George Woodman. “Untitled,” 1969, ed. of 22. 20 x 28 in. Screenprint on paper.
George Woodman's screenprints, c. 1960s-70s: STAFF PICKS
Lissa McClure, The Woodman Family Foundation’s Executive Director: When I began at the Foundation three years ago, after knowing Betty and George for over a decade, I thought I knew most of the work each of the Woodmans had made. I soon realized how wrong I was! One of the biggest surprises, and a pure delight, was encountering George Woodman’s early prints from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
L to R: George Woodman, c. 1960s-1990s.
George Woodman, c. 1960s.
George Woodman's summer travels, c. 1960s-1990s: From the Archives...
Here are a series of portraits of George Woodman, an avid world traveler. George soaked up endless inspiration for art making and life on the family's summer travels throughout the years.
L to R: The Woodman family and friends throughout the years in Antella, Italy, c. 1960s-2010s.
The Woodman family and friends, Antella, Italy, c. 1960s.
The breakfast nook, Antella, Italy, c. 1960s-2010s: From the Archives...
For over fifty years, the Woodman family has enjoyed many meals and conversations in the breakfast nook at their farmhouse in Antella, Italy. Built in a circular space that had originally housed a brick oven, the nook overlooks the hills of Tuscany and spectacular sunsets.
L to R: Betty Woodman and George Woodman, Boulder, Colorado, c. 1980s-90s / Betty Woodman and George Woodman featured in “Daily Camera,” February 14, 1993.
Betty Woodman and George Woodman featured in “Boulder Camera,” February 14, 1993.
Betty Woodman and George Woodman featured in "Daily Camera," February 14, 1993: From the Archives...
Happy anniversary to George and Betty Woodman! They were married on this day in 1953. In this 1993 profile in the Daily Camera, “Boulder’s best known international couple least known in their hometown” reflects on their art and their shared commitment to it and each other.
L to R: Various installation views: "Pitti rivisatto,” Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy, 1997 / All artworks by George Woodman. Image 2: “Pitti, Medea, Roses,” c. 1988. 41 1/4 x 72 in / Image 4: “Untitled,” 1990. 41 1/4 x 78 in / Image 6: “Untitled,” c. 1990s. 24 x 20 in / Image 9: “Untitled,” 1990. 41 1/4 x 59 in. All gelatin silver prints.
Installation view, "Pitti rivisatto,” Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy, 1997.
George Woodman, “Pitti rivisatto," Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy, 1997: From the Archives...
Twenty-five years ago this month, George Woodman’s solo exhibition, "Pitti rivisatto," opened at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, and remained on view all summer long. His layered black and white photographs take this Renaissance palace as their subject, but also as an opportunity to reflect on time and the experiences carried within each viewer.
.L to R: Artworks by George Woodman. "War Sadness Escape," 1999. 42 x 39 in. Gelatin silver print / Images 2 & 4: Installation views, “Contrapposto & Other Stories,” Jeff Bailey Gallery, New York, 2014 / "Boboli: Fountain of Neptune,” 1997. 71 3/4 x and 41 1/4 in. Gelatin silver print.
George Woodman. “War Sadness Escape,” 1999. 42 x 39 in. Gelatin silver print.
George Woodman's camera obscura photographs in "Contrapposto & Other Stories," Jeff Bailey Gallery, New York, 2014: From the Archives...
Summertime is here again, and each year it has brought with it a fresh crop of summer group shows around New York City. Here’s one from 2014: George Woodman’s camera obscura photographs were included in “Contrapposto & Other Stories,” curated by Katia Rosenthal at Jeff Bailey Gallery in Chelsea.