Exhibition Spotlight
Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In
National Portrait Gallery, London
March 21–June 16, 2024
Photographers Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron are two of the most influential women in the history of photography. They lived a century apart – Cameron working in the UK and Sri Lanka from the 1860s, and Woodman in America and Italy from the 1970s. Both women explored portraiture beyond its ability to record appearance – using their own creativity and imagination to suggest notions of beauty, symbolism, transformation and storytelling. Showcasing more than 160 rare vintage prints, Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In spans the career of both artists – and suggests new ways to look at their work, and the way photographic portraiture was created in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Please visit the National Portrait Gallery's website to learn more about the exhibition and the exhibition catalogue with essays by curator Magdalene Keaney, WFF Collections Curator Katarina Jerinic, and historian & writer Helen Ennis.
Press and Publications
Reviews of the exhibition by: Sean O'Hagan, Alastair Sooke, Hettie Judah, Isabelle Young, Charlotte Jansen, Jo Lawson-Tancred, Katie Tobin, Ben Luke, Sarah Watling, Eliza Goodpasture, Sarah Hyde, Ted Loos, Stephen Frailey, and Emily LaBarge.
Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1977, 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
L to R: “Untitled,” 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. "Self-Portrait at Thirteen," c. 1972, 6 3/4 x 6 11/16 in. (17.145 x 16.988 cm). Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
Francesca Woodman, "Polka Dots #5," from the "Polka Dots" series, 1976. Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London
Francesca Woodman. "Untitled," from the "Caryatid" series, 1980, 79 1/2 x 36 1/4 in. (201.93 x 92.075 cm). Diazotype © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
.png)
Pair: Francesca Woodman. "Self-Portrait at Thirteen," c. 1972 © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London. / Julia Margaret Cameron. "Annie (My very first success in Photography)," 1864 © National Science & Media Museum / Science & Society Picture Library
Pair: Francesca Woodman. "Self-Portrait at Thirteen," c. 1972, 6 3/4 x 6 11/16 in. (17.145 x 16.988 cm). Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London. / Julia Margaret Cameron. "Annie (My very first success in Photography)," 1864 © National Science & Media Museum / Science & Society Picture Library.
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.
Pair: Julia Margaret Cameron. "The South West Wind," 1864. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. / Francesca Woodman, "House #3," from the "House" series, 1976 © Woodman Family Foundation/DACS, London.
Pair: "These People Live in That Door," c 1976-77 / "Polka Dots #5," from the "Polka Dots" series, 1976. Works by Francesca Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London
Pair: Francesca Woodman. "These People Live in That Door," c 1976-77. Gelatin silver print. / Francesca Woodman, "Polka Dots #5," from the "Polka Dots" series, 1976. Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London
.png)
Pair: Francesca Woodman. "Untitled," 1979 © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London / Julia Margaret Cameron. "The Dream (Mary Hillier)," 1869. Courtesy of the Wilson Centre for Photography
Pair: 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 (Mary Hillier)," 1869. Courtesy of the Wilson Centre for Photography.
.png)
Pair: Julia Margaret Cameron. "I Wait (Rachel Gurney)," 1872, J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles / Francesca Woodman. "Untitled," from the "Angels" series, 1977 © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London
Pair: Julia Margaret Cameron. "I Wait (Rachel Gurney)," 1872. Albumen print. J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles / Francesca Woodman. "Untitled," from the "Angels" series, 1977, 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. (8.255 x 8.255 cm). Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
Francesca Woodman, "House #3," c. 1975-76, from the "Abandoned House" series. Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation/DACS, London.
Francesca Woodman, "Untitled," c. 1977–78. Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Installation view of Francesca Woodman’s Caryatid series at the National Portrait Gallery, London, 2024. Photograph by David Parry.
Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In, installation view. Courtesy National Portrait Gallery, London. Photo: David Parry.
Videos
No items found.
Backstories
Additional images and materials from Woodman’s archive which shed light on her process and elaborate on specific works in the exhibition.
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
L to R: Installation view, “Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In” at National Portrait Gallery, London, 2024 / Julia Margaret Cameron. "Teachings from the Elgin Marbles," 1867, 284 x 233 mm. Albumen print. Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford. / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” from the “Caryatid” series, 1980, 79 1/2 x 36 1/4 in. (201.93 x 92.075 cm). Diazotype. / Julia Margaret Cameron. “2d. version study after the Elgin Marbles,” 1867, 582 x 465 mm. Albumen print. Victoria and Albert Museum. / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” from the “Caryatid” series, 1980, 71 1/4 x 36 1/4 in. (180.975 x 92.075 cm). Diazotype. / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Isabel Bateman,” 1874, 331 x 252 mm. Albumen print. Wilson Centre for Photography. / Installation view, “Portraits to Dream In” / Julia Margaret Cameron. “[A Sibyl]”, 1870, 350 x 273 mm. Albumen print. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1980, 19 x 17 1/8 in. (48.26 x 43.498 cm). Diazotype. All Francesca Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
Installation view, “Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In” at National Portrait Gallery, London, 2024
L to R: Pair: Francesca Woodman. “Angels,” c. 1977-78 / Julia Margaret Cameron. “The Angels at the Sepulchre,” 1869-70 | Francesca Woodman. “Angels,” c. 1977-78, 3 13/16 x 3 3/4 in. (9.685 x 9.525 cm). Gelatin silver print | Julia Margaret Cameron. “The Angels at the Sepulchre,” 1869-70, 353 x 256 mm. Albumen print. Victoria and Albert Museum | Julia Margaret Cameron. “Cupid & Psyche,” 1864-65, 270 x 230 mm. Albumen print. Victoria and Albert Museum | Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1977-78, 3 15/16 x 3 15/16 in. (10.003 x 10.003 cm). Gelatin silver print | Julia Margaret Cameron. “The Angel at the Tomb,” 1869, 344 x 252 mm. Albumen print. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles | Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” from the “Angels” series, 1977. 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. (8.255 x 8.255 cm). Gelatin silver print | Julia Margaret Cameron. “I Wait (Rachel Gurney),” 1872, 327 x 254 mm. Albumen print. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles | A visitor to “Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: PortraIts to Dream In” looks at photographs by Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron depicting angels and cherubs at the National Portrait Gallery. Photo © David Parry | Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1977-78, 5 1/16 x 4 13/16 in. (12.86 x 12.225 cm). Gelatin silver print. All Francesca Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
Pair: Francesca Woodman. “Angels,” c. 1977-78 © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London / Julia Margaret Cameron. “The Angels at the Sepulchre,” 1869-70
.png)
L to R: Pair: Julia Margaret Cameron. “Vivien and Merlin,” 1874 / Francesca Woodman. “Charlie the Model #9,” c. 1976-77 / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Vivien and Merlin,” 1874, 322 x 256 mm. Albumen print. National Portrait Gallery, London / Francesca Woodman. “Charlie the Model #9,” c. 1976-77, 5 1/4 x 5 1/8 in. (13.3 x 13 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Lady Elcho/A Dantesque Vision,” 1865, 273 x 225 mm. Albumen print. Victoria and Albert Museum / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1977-78, 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 in. (8.255 x 8.255 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Daphne (Mary Pinnock),” 1866-68, 352 x 272 mm. Albumen print. Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1980, 4 3/8 x 3 15/16 in. (11.113 x 10.003 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “May Prinsep,” 1868, 324 x 232 mm. Albumen print. The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Francesca Woodman. “Corner With Lily,” 1978, 8 7/16 x 8 3/8 in. (21.433 x 21.273 cm). Gelatin silver print/ Pair: Julia Margaret Cameron. “May Prinsep,” 1868 / Francesca Woodman. “Corner With Lily,” 1978. All Francesca Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
Julia Margaret Cameron. “Vivien and Merlin,” 1874, National Portrait Gallery, London / Francesca Woodman. “Charlie the Model #9,” c. 1976-77 © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London
L to R: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1978, 4 11/16 x 4 11/16 in. (11.908 x 11.908 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Pomona,” September 1872, 363 x 264 mm. Albumen print. The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Francesca Woodman. "Untitled,” c. 1972-72, 6 1/16 x 5 13/16 in. (15.4 x 14.765 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Mary Hillier,” 1874, 372 x 282 mm. Albumen print. Victoria and Albert Museum / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1979, 3 13/16 x 3 13/16 in. (9.685 x 9.685 cm). Gelatin silver print / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1980, 3 1/8 x 5 in. (7.938 x 12.7 cm). Gelatin silver print with ink / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Mrs Herbert Fisher” (Mary Louisa Jackson), 1867, 344 x 265 mm. Albumen print. Wilson Centre for Photography / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1979, 5 7/8 x 5 15/16 in. (14.923 x 15.083 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “[Alethea],” 1872, 325 x 238 mm. Albumen print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. All Francesca Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1978, 4 11/16 x 4 11/16 in. (11.908 x 11.908 cm). Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
L to R: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80, 5 7/8 x 5 13/16 in. (14.923 x 14.765 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “The Astronomer (John Frederick William Herschel),” 1867, 349 x 265 mm. Albumen print. Rhode Island School of Design Museum (RISD) / Francesca Woodman. “Portrait of Dale Chisman,” 1980, 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in., 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in., 6 1/4 x 6 5/16 in. Gelatin silver prints / Detail from “Portrait of Dale Chisman,” 1980, 6 1/4 x 6 5/16 in. / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Henry Taylor / Author of ‘Philip Van Artevelde,’” 1864, 240 x 192 mm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80, 5 15/16 x 5 15/16 in. (15.083 x 15.083 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Iago – study from an Italian,” 1867, 334 x 248 mm. Albumen print. Science Museum Group / Francesca Woodman. Detail from “Portrait of Paolo Missigoi, Owner of the Libreria Malador, Roma,” c. 1977-78, 4 3/16 x 4 1/8 in. Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Hardinge Hay Cameron,” 1864, 290 x 230 mm. Albumen print. Victoria and Albert Museum / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80, 5 3/4 x 5 3/4 in. (14.605 x 14.605 cm). Gelatin silver print. All Francesca Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80, 5 7/8 x 5 13/16 in. (14.923 x 14.765 cm). Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
L to R: Pair: Julia Margaret Cameron. “Julia Jackson,” 1867 / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1977 / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1977, 92 x 92 mm. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy Sabina Mirri / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Julia Jackson,” 1867, 344 x 263 mm. Albumen print. National Portrait Gallery, London / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1977-78, 5 3/8 x 5 7/16 in. (13.653 x 13.813 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “My Favorite Picture of all My Works (Julia Jackson),” 1867, 292 x 243 mm. Albumen print. Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1977-78, 9 3/16 x 9 1/16 in. (23.338 x 23.02 cm). Gelatin silver print / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1976-77, 233 x 230 mm. Gelatin silver print. Tate / Julia Margaret Cameron. “[Annie Chinery Cameron],” 1869-70, 345 x 243 mm. Albumen print. Victoria and Albert Museum / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Zuleika,” 1871, 341 x 260 mm. Albumen print. Victoria and Albert Museum / Francesca Woodman. “Lucy With Goose” or “Leda and Swan,” 1978, 5 3/8 x 5 3/8 in. (13.653 x 13.653 cm). Gelatin silver print. All Francesca Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
Pair: Julia Margaret Cameron. “Julia Jackson,” 1867 / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1977. Francesca Woodman artwork © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
L to R: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80, 6 3/16 x 9 in. (15.718 x 22.86 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “Iolande and Floss,” c. 1864, 250 x 208 mm. Albumen print. Victoria and Albert Museum / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1979, 7 7/16 x 7 7/16 in. (18.893 x 18.893 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “The Salutation,” 1864, 216 x 178 mm. Albumen print. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1977-78, 7 1/2 x 7 3/16 in. (19.05 x 18.258 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “The Double Star,” 1864, 253 x 200 mm. Albumen print. Victoria and Albert Museum / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80, 3 15/16 x 9 1/2 in. (10.003 x 24.13 cm). Gelatin silver print / Pair: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80 / Julia Margaret Cameron. “The Sisters,” 1873 / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80, 5 x 3 15/16 in. (12.7 x 10 cm). Gelatin silver print / Julia Margaret Cameron. “The Sisters,” 1873, 356 x 293 mm. Albumen print. Wilson Centre for Photography. All Francesca Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80, 6 3/16 x 9 in. (15.718 x 22.86 cm). Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / DACS, London.
Installation views of "Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In," National Portrait Gallery, London, 2024. Images courtesy and copyright National Portrait Gallery.
Installation Views
No items found.