L to R: 1: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1976, 6 1/2 x 7 in. Gelatin silver print | 2: Betty Woodman. “Beach Girls,” 2013, 21 x 31 1/2 in. India ink, clay, pencil and acrylic paint on paper | 3: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1976, 6 3/8 x 6 3/8 in. Gelatin silver print | 4: Betty Woodman. “At the Beach,” 2007, 50 x 84 1/2 x 0 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, canvas, terra sigillata | 5: Francesca Woodman. “Seashore Circle,” 1976, 5 3/16 x 5 3/16 in. Gelatin silver print | 6: Betty Woodman. “Balustrade Relief Vase: 97-8,” 1997, 57 x 62 x 9 in. Glazed earthenware | 7: George Woodman. “Betty at the Seashore,” 1995, 12 x 9 1/2 in. Gelatin silver print | 8: Betty Woodman. “Low Triptych: Seaside Still Life,” 2006, 24 1/2 x 74 1/2 x 9 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint | 9: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80, 6 1/2 x 9 5/8 in. Gelatin silver print | 10: Betty Woodman. “Posing with Vases at the Beach,” 2008, 33 x 81 x 6 3/4 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint | 11: Betty Woodman. “Conversations on the Shore,” 1994, 84 x 142 x 53 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1976, 6 1/2 x 7 in. Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
The Woodmans and the alluring shores
Betty Woodman, Francesca Woodman, and George Woodman also succumbed to the lure of beaches and seashores in their work, each artist reimagining the beachscape with a distinct sensibility and overlapping visual languages.
L to R: 1: Betty Woodman. “Lake View,” 2013, 60 x 46 x 11 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, wood, canvas | 2: George Woodman. “Love Nests at Lake Lemon,” 1962, 38 x 50 in. Oil on canvas | 3: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” 1979, 3 13/16 x 3 13/16 in. Gelatin silver print | 4: Betty Woodman. “Lago di Como,” 1995, 26 1/2 x 43 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware | 5: George Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 2000, 19 1/8 x 10 in. Gelatin silver print | 6: Betty Woodman. “Deco Lake Shore,” 2002, 24 x 50 in. Terra sigilatta, wax, acrylic paint, graphite on paper. Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. | 7: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1972-75, 3 7/8 x 5 7/8 in. Gelatin silver print | 8: George Woodman. “Swimming at Kippy Stroud’s,” 2002, 16 x 20. Gelatin silver print | 9: Francesca Woodman. "Untitled," c.1979-80, 4 1/2 x 4 3/4 in. Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Betty Woodman. “Lake View,” 2013, 60 x 46 x 11 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, wood, canvas © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
The Woodmans and the serenity of lakes
This summer, take in the fluid beauty of water as seen through the eyes of Betty Woodman, George Woodman, and Francesca Woodman.
L to R: George Woodman. “285” or “Bari” or “Winterreise”, 1975, 65 x 65 in. Acrylic on canvas | Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, c. 1975-78, 6 5/8 x 6 9/16 in. Gelatin silver print | Betty Woodman. “Joined Vases”, 1972, 11 1/2 x 23 x 10 in. Porcelain | Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, c. 1979-80, 11 x 14 in. Gelatin silver print | George Woodman. “Study in White: Marble from Michelangelo’s Quarry”, 2004, 16 x 20 in. Gelatin silver print | Betty Woodman. “Boys”, 2013, 28 x 28 x 7 in. Glazed earthenware | George Woodman. “Untitled”, 1974, 84 x 84 in. Acrylic on canvas | Detail from Betty Woodman. “Aeolian Pyramid”, 2001/2006, approx. 150 x 168 x 100 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint | George Woodman. “Tessellation Sky”, 1975, 54 1/2 x 54 1/2 in. Acrylic on canvas | Betty Woodman. “Nina’s Room”, 2012, 86 x 107 x 12 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas | Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, c. 1977-78, 3 13/16 x 3 7/8 in. Gelatin silver print | Betty Woodman. “Judith’s Window”, 2012, 59 1/2 x 43 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, wood | Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, 1980, 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. Gelatin silver print | Betty Woodman. “Divided Vases: Window”, 2012, 33 1/4 x 42 x 7 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint | Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, 1976, 5 1/8 x 5 1/8 in. Gelatin silver print | George Woodman. “Untitled”, c. 1980, dimensions unknown. Acrylic on canvas | Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, c. 1979-80, 3 7/8 x 5 5/8 in. Gelatin silver print | Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80, 5 1/2 x 5 5/8 in. Gelatin silver print | George Woodman. “Christening Dress and Roman Sculpture (A Roman Fragment with a Christening Dress)”, 2011, 42 x 38 1/2 in. Oil on gelatin silver print | Betty Woodman. “White Amphoras”, 2004, 33 x 57 x 12 in. Glazed earthenware. All artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
George Woodman. “285” or “Bari” or “Winterreise”, 1975, 65 x 65 in. Acrylic on canvas © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
The Woodmans and the use of white
Betty Woodman and George Woodman are often celebrated for their exuberant use of color, while Francesca Woodman is best known for her dramatic black-and-white photographs, filled with shades of grey. Working across different mediums and methods, the Woodman artists used white—and the absence of color—to fascinating effects.
L to R: “Self-Portrait at Thirteen," c. 1972, 6 3/4 x 6 11/16 in. Gelatin silver print | 2 & 3: Francesca Woodman's Yashica Mat-124G camera | “Untitled," 1979, 3 5/16 x 3 1/2 in. Chromogenic print. All artworks by Francesca Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Francesca Woodman, “Self-Portrait at Thirteen," c. 1972, 6 3/4 x 6 11/16 in. Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Francesca Woodman's first camera
In 1972, Francesca Woodman received her first camera, a 6x6 twin-lens reflex Yashica Mat-124G, from her father, George Woodman.
L to R: Betty, Charles, and Francesca Woodman in front of the New York World's Fair Unisphere, 1964 / Charles and Francesca Woodman in front of Thailand's pavilion, 1964 / Bird's eye view of the New York World's Fair, 1964. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty, Charles, and Francesca Woodman in front of the New York World's Fair Unisphere, 1964. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The Woodmans at the 1964 New York World's Fair
Sixty years ago, before they had traveled much of the world together, the Woodman family visited the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
L to R: Charles Woodman, George Woodman, and Betty Woodman, Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy, c. 1966 / George Woodman, Florence, Italy, 1966 / Francesca Woodman and Charles Woodman, Fiesole, Italy, c. 1966 / Charles Woodman and Francesca Woodman, Pompeii, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy, 1966 / Charles Woodman and Francesca Woodman, Alhambra, Granada, Spain, c. 1966 / Tile detail Alhambra, Granada, Spain / Detail of George Woodman, ceramic tile installation Delavan-Canisius College Station, NFTA-Metro, Buffalo, NY, 1984 / George Woodman. “A Gentle Tessellation,” 1966/68. 43 1/4 x 43 1/34 in. Acrylic on canvas / George Woodman with tile mural commissioned by General Motors and the Detroit Transportation Corporation. Detail of the work in progress on the floor of George's studio, Antella, Italy, 2003. All images Woodman Family Foundation Archives unless otherwise noted. All artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Charles Woodman, George Woodman, and Betty Woodman, Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy, c. 1966. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Family trips to Florence, Fiesole, and Pompeii in Italy, and Granada, Spain. c. 1966: SUMMER TRAVELS WITH THE WOODMAN FAMILY
The Woodmans spent another year together just outside of Florence from 1965-66. Betty had a Fulbright-Hays fellowship and George a faculty fellowship from the University of Colorado, while Charlie and Francesca attended the local public school.
L to R: Francesca Woodman, 1971 / Pair: Betty Woodman, 1971 / George Woodman, 1971 / Francesca Woodman and friend, 1971 / Betty Woodman and friend, 1966 / Francesca Woodman and Charles Woodman, 1966 / George Woodman, 1966 / View of Acropolis of Athens from boat, Athens, Greece, 1966 / Betty Woodman, Greece, 1971 / Francesca Woodman, Greece, 1971. All images Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece unless otherwise noted. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Francesca Woodman, Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece, 1971. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece, 1971 and 1966: SUMMER TRAVELS WITH THE WOODMAN FAMILY
The Woodman family made at least two trips to Greece together. The impact and influence of classical ruins, the architecture as well as the female form, can be seen in all of their work over many decades.
L to R: Pair: Francesca Woodman, Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, France, 1960 / Charles Woodman, Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, France, 1960 / Detail of Betty Woodman and Francesca Woodman / Betty Woodman and Francesca Woodman, Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, France, 1960 / Charles Woodman, Fontaine des Quatre-Parties-du-Monde, Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, France, 1960 / Francesca Woodman and Charles Woodman, Paris, France, 1960 / Musée du Louvre, Paris, France, 1960 / Paris, France, 1960 / Betty Woodman and Charles Woodman, Paris, France, 1960. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Pair: Francesca Woodman, Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, France, 1960 / Charles Woodman, Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, France, 1960. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Paris, France, 1960: SUMMER TRAVELS WITH THE WOODMAN FAMILY
The Woodman family used their Italian home-base to see the sites around Europe, which meant that Francesca and Charlie began traveling with their parents from a young age.
L to R: 1-2: Betty Woodman with Francesca Woodman and Charles Woodman, passport, 1959 / 3-4: George Woodman, passport, 1959 / 5-6: Betty Woodman with Charles Woodman and Francesca Woodman, passport, 1965 / 7-8: George Woodman, passport, 1965 / 9-10: Betty Woodman with Francesca Woodman, passport, 1970. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman with Francesca Woodman and Charles Woodman, passport, 1959. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The Woodmans' passports, 1959, 1965, and 1970: SUMMER TRAVELS WITH THE WOODMAN FAMILY
As everyone heads out on vacation this August, we’re taking a look back at the Woodman family’s travels throughout the years with images from our archives.
L to R: 1-8: Stills from Francesca Woodman, "Selected Video Works," c. 1975-78. Half-inch black-and-white open reel video with sound, transferred to DVD, 11:43 minutes / Pages from "Francesca Woodman." San Francisco: SFMOMA in association with DAP, New York, 2011.
Still from Francesca Woodman, "Selected Video Works," Providence, Rhode Island, 1976-78. Half-inch black-and-white open reel video with sound, transferred to DVD, 11:43 minutes.
Jennifer Blessing on Francesca Woodman's work in video
In the catalogue that accompanied the exhibition "Francesca Woodman," presented at SFMOMA, San Francisco in 2011 and the Guggenheim Museum, New York, in 2012, Guggenheim Senior Curator of Photography Jennifer Blessing writes about the primacy of process in Francesca Woodman’s work in video
L to R: Charles Woodman, Venice, Italy, 1966 / Charles Woodman and Francesca Woodman, Venice, Italy, 1966 / Betty Woodman and Charles Woodman, Venice, Italy, 1966. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Charles Woodman, Venice, Italy, 1966. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The Woodmans in Venice, Italy, 1966
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: “Untitled,” c. 1979-80. 5 x 3 15/16 in. | Francesca Woodman's vintage fox fur from WFF Archives | “Untitled,” c. 1979-80. 7 1/2 x 4 3/4 in | “Untitled,” 1979, 5 13/16 x 5 13/16 in | “Untitled,” 1978, 34 1/2 x 40 1/2 in | “Untitled,” 1976. 5 3/4 x 5 3/4 in | “Untitled,” 5 7/8 x 5 7/8 in. All gelatin silver prints. All works by Francesca Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80. 5 x 3 15/16 in. Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Vintage fox fur from Francesca Woodman's archives used in her work, 1976-80
The Foundation’s archives include many of the dresses, shoes, scarves, gloves and other clothing that Francesca Woodman used in her photographs and in her daily life. This fox fur, probably picked up at a vintage shop or flea market like much that she wore, makes an appearance in many of her photographs.
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. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman, Italy, c. 1965-66. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Dining al fresco with the Woodman family, c. 1960s-1995
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: 1 & 3: Installation view, MacDowell Colony, Peterborough, New Hampshire, 1980 | "Study for Tree Piece,” c. 1980. 14 1/2 x 15 1/4 in. Diazotype / 4-5: “Untitled,” 1980. 2 13/16 x 9 15/16 in. Gelatin silver print. Letter on reverse of print | “Untitled,” 1980. 11 x 14 in. Gelatin silver print. All works by Francesca Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Francesca Woodman. Installation view, MacDowell Colony, Peterborough, New Hampshire, 1980. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Francesca Woodman, MacDowell Colony, Peterborough, New Hampshire, 1980
Francesca Woodman spent three weeks in July of 1980 on a fellowship at the MacDowell Colony, surrounded by other artists, as well as musicians, poets, novelists and the forests of rural New Hampshire. She arrived there from New York, already thinking about trees.
The Woodman family and friends throughout the years in Antella, Italy, c. 1960s-2010s. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The Woodman family and friends, Antella, Italy, c. 1960s. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The breakfast nook, Antella, Italy, c. 1960s-2010s
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: 1-2: "Segno: Notiziario di arte contemporanea," Issue 9, Summer 1978. Woodman Family Foundation Archives | Francesca Woodman. "From Space²” or "Space²", 1976, from the "Space²" series, 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
"Segno: Notiziario di arte contemporanea," Issue 9, summer 1978. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Francesca Woodman, Segno Magazine, 1978
In the summer of 1978, Francesca Woodman’s photograph "From Space²" or "Space²" was featured in the Italian contemporary art magazine “Segno.” In the accompanying text, she explained that her original idea for the image came from her desire to illustrate literary metaphors but evolved over a group of photographs into a kind of story following a figure who explores these metaphors.
L to R: Entrance to the Woodman family’s farmhouse adorned with a Pillow Pitcher by Betty atop a wall of George’s “sgraffito,” 2017 / View of the olive groves from Betty’s studio, 2004 / Betty cutting well-tended roses growing against the wall next to her studio, 2008 / Betty making flower arrangements with roses, dahlias and gerbera daisies from her garden, 2006 / Betty putting fresh flowers in a group of her “Vase and Stand” works, 1984 / Betty, a young family friend, and Francesca, c. late 1960s / Table set for dinner, 2016, photo by Brigid McCaffrey / Generous bowls and baskets full of figs, plums, peaches, grapes, and tomatoes, 2016 / Betty, Charlie and Francesca cooking together, c. early 1970s / George at his studio door, 2006 / A view out from the same door, 2008 / Francesca and Betty holding their bunnies, c. 1968 / Charlie on his motorino, c. late 1960s / Betty and friend with Betty’s triptych “June in Italy” (2001), c. 2001 / George with his sculpture, c. early 1970s / he Woodman family’s patio with potted geraniums and the olive grove in view, c. 1990s / Morning glories climbing George’s “sgrafitto” wall, c. 1990s. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
L to R: Entrance to the Woodman family’s farmhouse adorned with a Pillow Pitcher by Betty atop a wall of George’s “sgraffito,” 2017. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
AUGUST IN ANTELLA
Beginning in the summer of 1968, the Woodman Family spent every summer at their stone farmhouse in Antella, Italy, just outside of Florence. As children, Charlie and Francesca joined their parents and later visited on their own, soaking in Italian culture and influences. Betty and George made some of their most important artistic breakthroughs there—a place George once described as "an artist residency for two.” All summer long, their garden produced abundant food and flowers—the tomatoes were particularly good in August, happily shared with frequent visitors.
Letter from George Woodman to Francesca Woodman, September 4, 1977. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
A letter from George Woodman to Francesca Woodman, September 4, 1977
September of 1977 marked the start of new academic year for each of the Woodmans and the pursuit of teaching or studies in four different locations around the US and Europe. Francesca Woodman had just begun her fruitful year in Rome with the RISD European Honors Program, after spending some time in Antella. In a letter sent to her from Boulder, George Woodman recaps summer travels and reports on the rest of the family’s activities.
Family photographs of the Woodman’s sightseeing in Italy, circa 1959-60 and 1965-66. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
George, Charles and Francesca Woodman in Rome, Italy, 1966. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The Woodman family explores Italy, circa 1959-60 and 1965-66
The Woodman family’s lifelong love of Italy began in 1951 with Betty’s yearlong apprenticeship in Fiesole. After marrying in 1953, Betty and George took their young children, Charles and Francesca, for extended stays in 1959-60 and again in 1965-66.
L to R: "Untitled," 1978 | Invitation by Francesca Woodman | Installation views, Woods-Gerry Gallery, RISD, 1978 / Review by David K. Miller, 1978. Woodman Family Foundation Archives
Invitation by Francesca Woodman, 1978 © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Francesca Woodman's BFA graduate exhibition at Woods-Gerry Hall Gallery, RISD, 1978
Francesca Woodman’s graduate exhibition as a student at the Rhode Island School of Design was held at the school’s Woods-Gerry Gallery in November 1978. She considered it a “swan song” to her time there as shown in her photocopied invitation. She reported on the opening in a letter to her friend Edith Schloss: “you would have enjoyed it i bought all these bird whistles that one fills with water and they warble in n.y. do you remember them from when you used to live there? anyway the room was very echoey with these things and i actually enjoyed the opening.”
L to R: “Guerilla Gallerizing” review by Peter Frank in “The Village Voice,” May 7, 1979 | George Woodman. "Untitled," c. 1975-77. 67 x 67 in. Acrylic on canvas © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Woodman Family Foundation Archives
"Guerilla Gallerizing” review by Peter Frank in “The Village Voice,” May 7, 1979. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
George Woodman review by Peter Frank in "The Village Voice," May 7, 1979
In May of 1979, George Woodman received this review from “The Village Voice” in the mail, clipped and sent to him by his daughter Francesca. It was addressed in her hand “For Daddy,” and pointed out where his work is discussed.
Francesca Woodman birth announcement, drawing by George Woodman, 1958. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Francesca Woodman birth announcement, 1958
Francesca Woodman was born on this day in 1958. Her artist parents used this drawing by George, recently discovered in the family archive, to share the good news with family and friends.
L to R: Front and back of letter from Francesca to George and Betty, April 1977 / Letter from George to Francesca, April 17, 1977. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Front of letter from Francesca to George and Betty, April 1977. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Letters exchanged between Francesca Woodman and George Woodman, April 1977
Francesca Woodman often used the backs of her photographs to write letters to family and friends, addressing, stamping and dropping her prints directly into the mailbox. In this exchange between her and George from April 1977, they discuss her first forays into fashion photography and other news from Providence and Boulder.
L to R: Francesca Woodman in her dorm room at Abbot Academy, Andover, MA, c. 1972-73. Academic and Advisor Reports from Wendy Snyder MacNeil, Abbot Academy, 1972-1973.
Francesca Woodman in her dorm room at Abbot Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, c. 1972-73. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Francesca Woodman at Abbott Academy, 1972-1973
From 1972-1973, Francesca Woodman studied at Abbot Academy, one of the few high schools in the US at the time to offer a concentrated art program. It was there that Francesca met Wendy Snyder MacNeil, her earliest, highly influential teacher who introduced her to the creative and expressive capabilities of photography.
L to R: The Woodman family at home in Boulder, Colorado, circa 1963 / Sirotkin House, designed by Tician Papachristou, 1959, Boulder, Colorado, courtesy M. Gerwing Architects / Images 3-7: Interior and exterior views of the Woodman family home in the Sirotkin House, circa 1960s / Baskets in Betty’s studio before one of her twice-yearly sales.
The Woodman family at home in Boulder, Colorado, c. 1963. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The Woodmans in Boulder, Colorado, 1960s
In 1960, after returning to Boulder, Colorado, from their first year together in Italy, the Woodman family moved into the Sirotkin House. One of more than a dozen modernist homes in Boulder by architect Tician Papachristou, the house was designed for the original owner as a pair with the house next door.
All images related to: Francesca Woodman. "Blueprint for a Temple (I) and (II)," 1980. L to R: Artist's sketches / Installation views, Alternative Museum (including Francesca and Betsy Berne) / 'Beyond Photography 80' exhibition catalogue, Alternative Museum / Installation view, 'Spies in the House of Art,' Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2012 / Diazotype collage, 173 1/4 x 111 3/16 in. / Diazotype, 24 1/2 x 18 in. / Diazotype, 24 1/2 x 18 1/4 in.
Francesca Woodman. Artist's sketch related to "Blueprint for a Temple (I) & (II)," 1980. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Francesca Woodman’s "Blueprint for a Temple (I) & (II)," 1980
In the spring of 1980, Francesca Woodman’s "Blueprint for a Temple (II)" was included in the exhibition "Beyond Photography 80" at the Alternative Museum in New York City.
L to R: Francesca and Charlie in their grembiule (Italian school uniforms), c. 1965-66 / George Woodman’s studio in a 16th century building, Italy, c. 1965-66 / Betty Woodman in her studio, Italy, 1965 / Francesca drawing in an Italian museum, c. 1965-66 / Charlie and Betty at the market, c. 1965-66 / George, Francesca and Betty in Italy, c. 1965-66. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Francesca and Charlie in their grembiule (Italian school uniforms), c. 1965-66. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The Woodmans in Italy, 1960s
Beginning in 1965, Betty, George, Charlie and Francesca Woodman spent an influential year together as a family in Italy, immersed in museums, art, and culture. Their affinity for Florence took root, leading to the acquisition of a farmhouse in Antella several years later that has served as a family and creative nucleus ever since.
Invitation postcards by Francesca Woodman, Libreria Maldoror, Rome, Italy, 1978
Invitation postcards by Francesca Woodman, Libreria Maldoror, Rome, Italy, 1977
Not long after Francesca Woodman arrived in Rome in 1977 on the RISD European Honors Program, she discovered the surrealist bookshop Maldoror, where she later had her first solo exhibition in Europe. She made unique, individual invitations to the show, each featuring one of her photographs attached to a postcard.