Francesca Woodman. "Untitled," c. 1975-78, 9 1/2 x 12 1/4 in. (24.13 x 31.12 cm). Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / VISDA, Copenhagen.
OPENING October 11: "OCEAN," Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk, Denmark, 2024
This exhibition delves into the depths where imagination meets reality, considering ways the sea has been a source of adventure and destruction throughout history.
L to R: 1: Betty Woodman. “Edo Fashion Ladies,” 2006, glazed earthenware, 34 1/2 x 32 1/2 x 7 in. | 2: Page from “Fashion of Edo: Women's Dress in Ukiyo-e Paintings 1989." Japan Institute of Arts and Crafts, 1989 | 3 & 7: Betty Woodman. “After the Bath,” 2011, glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, 35 x 37 1/2 x 8 in. | 4: Pair: Detail from Betty Woodman, “After the Bath” / Ippitsusai Bunchō, “Kagiya Osen,” from “Japanese Prints” by Gabriele Fahr-Becker, Barnes & Noble Inc., 2003 | 5: Detail from Betty Woodman, “After the Bath” | 6: Ishikawa Toyonobu, “After the Bath,” page from “Japanese Prints” by Gabriele Fahr-Becker | 8: Spread from “Edo Chiyogami” by Hirose Tatsugoro, Seigensha, 2002 | 9: “Fashion of Edo: Women's Dress in Ukiyo-e Paintings 1989." Japan Institute of Arts and Crafts, 1989, with torn page | 10: Selected publications on Japanese art from Betty Woodman’s collection All Betty Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Betty Woodman. “Edo Fashion Ladies,” 2006, glazed earthenware, 34 1/2 x 32 1/2 x 7 in. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Betty Woodman’s books on Japanese textiles and woodblock prints
Over the past few months, the Foundation delved into Betty Woodman's and George Woodman’s personal library as part of our ongoing work to build a study center. Betty Woodman’s books on Japanese textiles and woodblock prints, in particular, are extensively bookmarked, with pages cut and ripped away by the artist. She often amassed many of these books on her travels regardless of whether she could read the language, choosing instead to let the images weave themselves into her visual lexicon.
L to R: Pair: “Athens,” 1991 / “Massenet,” ed. 8/8, 2010 | “Athens,” 1991, Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint. 35 1/2 x 68 5/8 x 10 1/4 in. | “Massenet,” ed. 8/8, 2010, Soft-paste porcelain biscuit. © Sèvres - Manufacture et musée nationaux, 2013.D.8587.1 / 20013.D.8587.2. Photographer: Gerard Jonca. All works by Betty Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
New Betty Woodman exhibitions, September 2024
This month, explore two group exhibitions in New York showcasing diverse works by Betty Woodman from the 1990s and 2000s.
L to R: 1: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, c. 1977-78. Gelatin silver print. 5 11/16 x 5 13/16 in. / 2: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, 1979, Chromogenic print. 3 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. / 4: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, 1979, Chromogenic print. 3 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. / 6: Francesca Woodman. “House #4”, 1976, from the "House" series. Gelatin silver print. 5 11/16 x 5 3/4 in. / 9: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, 1979. Chromogenic print. 3 5/16 x 3 1/2 in. / 3, 5, 7, 8, 10: Gordon Matta-Clark. “Bingo”, 1974. Building fragments: painted wood, metal, plaster, and glass, three sections. All photographs taken at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2024 / All Francesca Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Francesca Woodman. “Untitled”, c. 1977-78. Gelatin silver print. 5 11/16 x 5 13/16 in. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Rehan Miscki, The Woodman Family Foundation's Digital Imaging and Photography Manager: STAFF PICKS
Hello, this is Rehan Miskci. I recently joined The Woodman Foundation as their Digital Imaging and Photography Manager. I’m lucky to be involved with Francesca, Betty and George Woodman’s works on a daily basis and oversee any image-based needs.
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: FROM THE ARCHIVES...
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: Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80. Gelatin silver print. 7 1/8 x 9 3/16 in. / Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80. Gelatin silver print. 6 13/16 x 9 3/8 in. / George Woodman. “Psyche, Amor and Sara,” 2010. Oil on gelatin silver print. 163 x 226 in. / George Woodman. “Five Cases of Classicism,” 2011. Gelatin silver print. 23 x 35 3/4 in © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Francesca Woodman. “Untitled,” c. 1979-80. Gelatin silver print. 7 1/8 x 9 3/16 in © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Mallory O'Donoghue, The Woodman Family Foundation's Collections Researcher: STAFF PICKS
As the Woodman Family Foundation’s Collections Researcher, I spend a good amount of my working hours digging around libraries and special collections scattered throughout New York City. I believe the artists of the Woodman Family Foundation were equally as inspired by this bustling and beautiful metropolis as I am.
L to R: “July 1, 2016,” 2016, India ink, 16 ½ x 11 ¾ in. Acrylic paint on sketch paper. / “Karen’s Room,” 2015, 63 x 36 ¼ x 8 ¾ in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, wood. / “Nov 19, 2016,” 2016, 16 ½ x 23 ¼ in. India ink, acrylic paint on sketch paper. / “July Table and Grey Carpet,” 2016, 63 x 94 ½ x 11 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, wood. / “March 9, 2015,” 2015, 14 ¾ x 17 in. India ink, acrylic paint on sketch paper. / “The Dining Room #2,” 2014, 60 x 83 ½ x 10 ½ in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint, canvas, wood. All works by Betty Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Betty Woodman. “July 1, 2016,” 2016, India ink, 16 ½ x 11 ¾ in. Acrylic paint on sketch paper. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Jennifer DiCocco, The Woodman Family Foundation's Registrar: STAFF PICKS
As the Foundation’s registrar, I have the privilege of managing Betty, George, and Francesca Woodman’s artwork inventories. Though impossible to select a favorite object from such a prolific inventory, one of my favorite groups of works are Betty’s paintings on sketch paper.
Betty Woodman. "Wall Vase," c. 1980s, approx. 25 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 7 in. Glazed earthenware © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Betty Woodman: Images of Function” by Layaan Roufai
We are pleased to share “Betty Woodman: Images of Function” by Layaan Roufai, who was our Library & Archives intern this summer through the Studio Institute Arts Intern program.
L to R: “Untitled,” c. 1975-78, 7 3/8 x 7 3/8 in. / “Untitled,” 1978, 35 1/4 x 33 in. / “Untitled,” 1976, 5 7/8 x 5 7/8 in. / "Self-portrait Talking to Vince," 1977, 5 3/16 x 5 1/16 in. / "Untitled," 1976, 5 1/2 x 5 5/8 in. / “Space²,” from the “Space²” series, 1976, 5 1/14 x 5 in. / "Sloan," 1976, 5 15/16 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. 1975-78, 7 3/8 x 7 3/8 in. Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Micaela Walker, The Woodman Family Foundation's Archivist: STAFF PICKS
Becoming the archivist at the Woodman Family Foundation sometimes feels oddly inevitable to me. I was introduced to Francesca Woodman’s images as a photography major at RISD twenty years after her time there and remember being both besotted with and intimidated by her work.
L to R: George Woodman. "Daphne," 1982, 78 x 60 in. Acrylic on canvas. Image courtesy DC Moore Gallery. Artwork © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / Installation view, "Who Is There?", DC Moore Gallery, New York, 2024
George Woodman. "Daphne," 1982, 78 x 60 in. Acrylic on canvas. Image courtesy DC Moore Gallery. Artwork © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
NOW ON VIEW: George Woodman in "Who Is There?", DC Moore Gallery, New York, 2024
This group exhibition of personal, expressive landscapes features works that merge abstraction and representation, depicting threshold spaces and hybridized forms where the observed and the imaginative meet.
L to R: Pair: Julia Margaret Cameron. “Il Penseroso,” 1865, 252 x 202 mm. Albumen print. The Victoria and Albert Museum / Francesca Woodman. “Self-Portrait on That Same Day,” c. 1977, 5 5/16 x 5 1/4 in. Gelatin silver print. / Images 2-7: Installation views, “Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In,” Institut Valencià d'Art Modern, Valencia, Spain, 2024. Images courtesy Institut Valencià d'Art Modern. Photo: Miguel Lorenzo / Pair: Julia Margaret Cameron. “Marie Spartali,” 1870, 362 x 267 mm. Albumen silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum / Francesca Woodman. “Space²," from the “Space²“ series, 5 11/16 x 5 11/16 in. Gelatin silver print. All Francesca Woodman artworks © Woodman Family Foundation / VEGAP, Madrid.
Pair: Julia Margaret Cameron. “Il Penseroso,” 1865, 252 x 202 mm. Albumen print. The Victoria and Albert Museum / Francesca Woodman. “Self-Portrait on That Same Day,” c. 1977, 5 5/16 x 5 1/4 in. (13.50 x 13.34 cm). Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / VEGAP, Madrid.
NOW ON VIEW: “Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In” in Spain
"Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron: Portraits to Dream In" is currently on view in Spain through October 20.
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George Woodman. "Loie Wearing an 18th Century Sculpture," 2012, 24 x 20 in. Gelatin silver print with oil paint. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
George Woodman, "Loie Wearing an 18th Century Sculpture," 2012: STAFF PICKS
Hello! I’m Layaan Roufai, the Woodman Family Foundation’s Library and Archives Intern. As I perused the many publications filled with works by the Woodmans, I found myself particularly interested in the art of George Woodman.