From the Archives
A look back
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.
L to R: George Woodman’s studio space at Grand Arts, 2004 / Installation views at Grand Arts, 2004 / George Woodman. Chinese Chrysanthemums and the Chaos of Love, 2004. 64 1/4 x 39 1/4 in. Gelatin silver print / George Woodman. Ruth, Baby, Saskia, et al., 2004. 65 3/4 x 39 3/4 in. Gelatin silver print.
George Woodman’s studio space at Grand Arts, 2004. Woodman Family Foundation Archives
George Woodman’s residency at Grand Arts in Kansas City, Missouri, 2004
During his 2004 residency at Grand Arts in Kansas City, Missouri, George Woodman continued his work with one-of-a-kind, large-scale still life photographs, made using a camera obscura.
L to R: Brochure for Betty Woodman / MATRIX 119, Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, Connecticut, 1992 | Installation view from Betty Woodman / Matrix 119. "Etruscan Vases," 1965-1966, Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford Connecticut, 1992.
Brochure for Betty Woodman / MATRIX 119, Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, Connecticut, 1992. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut, 1992
Betty Woodman's exhibition in the Matrix series at Wadsworth Atheneum in 1992 helped to define a context for her work in ceramics within the larger world of contemporary art, highlighting "that Woodman sees herself ‘dealing with painting as much as with sculpture.'"
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.