Betty Woodman. Sea of Japan Pillow Pitcher, 1985. 17 x 24 1/2 x 18 inches. Glazed earthenware. From the Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection / Shapes From Out of Nowhere: Towards Abstraction in Clay 1890-2018: The Robert A. Ellison Junior Collection exhibition catalogue cover. Published by August Editions, January 5, 2021.
Betty Woodman. Sea of Japan Pillow Pitcher, 1985. 17 x 24 1/2 x 18 inches. Glazed earthenware. From the Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection.
Betty Woodman in "Shapes from Out of Nowhere: Ceramics from the Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection," February 22 - August 29, 2021
Betty Woodman in “Shapes from Out of Nowhere: Ceramics from the Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art through August 29, 2021.
Two paintings of cake by Francesca Woodman, circa late 1970s / George Woodman in an interview discussing Francesca Woodman's idea for a pastry museum, 2007.
A painting of cake by Francesca Woodman, circa late 1970s.
Francesca Woodman's love of desserts: From the Archives…
Francesca Woodman's love of dessert was well-known to her family and friends, often coming up in letters or conversations, and even in two paintings she made in the late 1970s.
A note to Betty Woodman from George Woodman, circa 1951-52 / A note from Betty Woodman to George Woodman, circa 1951-52.
A note to Betty Woodman from George Woodman, circa 1951-52
Notes of love exchanged between Betty and George Woodman, 1951-52: From the Archives…
George Woodman and Betty Woodman began their nearly seven decade relationship in life and art in 1950. While Betty was on a year-long solo trip to Fiesole, Italy from 1951-52, the two regularly exchanged passionate love letters and affectionate notes.
The Abrahams Family New Year card, circa 1946-1950. From left to right: Betty, Minnie, Henry and Dot Abrahams.
The Abrahams Family New Year card, circa 1946-1950. From left to right: Betty, Minnie, Henry and Dot Abrahams.
Happy New Year from Henry, Minnie, Dot and Betty Abrahams: From the Archives…
Betty Abrahams Woodman was raised with her sister in Newton, Massachusetts by their “liberal, anti-religious and culturally ambitious” parents who fostered in their daughters the importance of responsibility and self-determination. This New Year’s card from the late 40s - early 50s reveals a young Betty with her family.
All works by George Woodman.
All works by George Woodman.
George Woodman's lifelong commitment to color is explored in Plotline 4
From his early abstract paintings to more recent painted photographs, color was a powerful and continuous thread in George Woodman’s work. Even as his focus shifted to black and white photography, Woodman never abandoned his interest in color, instead finding ways to create unexpected dialogues between and across media.
Francesca Woodman. Untitled, New York, 1979-80. 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 in. Gelatin silver print.
Francesca Woodman. Untitled, New York, 1979-80.
LAST CHANCE: Francesca Woodman in "The Body Electric" at National Gallery of Australia
LAST CHANCE to see Francesca Woodman in "The Body Electric" at the National Gallery of Australia!
Letters from the archives at the Woodman Foundation. Courtesy Woodman Family Foundation / The Woodman Family outdoor dining table, Antella, Italy. Photo credit: Brigid McCaffrey.
Letters from the archives at the Woodman Foundation. Courtesy Woodman Family Foundation.
The Woodman Family Foundation featured in Artnet News series “The Art World at Home”
Learn from our Executive Director, Lissa McClure, about ways the Foundation continues to support and steward the legacies of Betty Woodman, Francesca Woodman and George Woodman, while working from home.
Images L to R: Front and back of letter from Francesca to George and Betty, April 1977 / Letter from George to Francesca, April 17, 1977.
Front of letter from Francesca to George and Betty, April 1977.
Letters exchanged between Francesca Woodman and George Woodman, April 1977: From the Archives…
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.
All images from “Pattern and Place,” by Gini Sikes, Metropolis, October 1984; pages 17-19, 26.
Cover image from Metropolis Magazine, October 1984.
Betty and George Woodman in Metropolis Magazine, October 1984: From the Archives…
After acquiring a loft in New York City in 1980, Betty and George began to split their time between homes and studios in Manhattan, Boulder, Colorado and Antella, Italy—a way of living that became vital to their work. A 1984 feature on the couple in the magazine Metropolis chronicles their dynamic lives, relationship and art.
Images L to R: Francesca Woodman. Untitled, New York, 1979. 3 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. Chromogenic print / Francesca Woodman. Untitled, New York, 1979-80. Gelatin silver print. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Francesca Woodman. Untitled, New York, 1979. 3 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. Chromogenic print.
Francesca Woodman: New York Works at Victoria Miro Venice, October 31-December 12
LAST CHANCE to see Francesca Woodman: New York Works in Venice this week! On view through Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Victoria Miro Venice.
George Woodman’s studio in Antella, Italy. Images 1-5: Studio under construction, 2008. Image 6: Inside George’s studio, c. 2016. Image 7: George in his studio, 2009, photo by Stefano Porcinai.
George Woodman’s studio in Antella, Italy.
George Woodman’s renovated studio in Antella, Italy, 2008: From the Archives…
A former wine cellar underneath the family's stone farmhouse in Antella, Italy was transformed in to a new photography and painting studio for George Woodman, with surrounding views of the Tuscan countryside.
All images related to Chinese Pleasure, 2007-2008, 27 x 12 x 1 feet, glazed earthenware, terra sigillatta, canvas. Images L to R: Betty Woodman / Proposal materials / Views of installation.
Betty Woodman with Chinese Pleasure (2007-2008) at the American Embassy in Beijing, 2008.
Betty Woodman’s permanent installation Chinese Pleasure at the United States Embassy in Beijing, China, 2007-2008: From the Archives…
Betty Woodman’s Chinese Pleasure (2007-2008) was commissioned by the U.S. Department of State Art in Embassies Program for the United States Embassy in Beijing. Woodman was inspired by and freely borrowed from visual influences all over the world and throughout art history, here incorporating three distinct moments in the history of Chinese art, ranging from Sichuan bronzes to popular culture into this dramatic installation.