Francesca Woodman

Just the Facts Born April 3, 1958 in Denver, CO. Daughter of artists—mother sculpted and created ceramics, father painted and took photographs. Began taking photographs at the age of thirteen.

Attended Rhode Island School of Design and graduated at the top of her class. Studied abroad in Rome for a year. Moved to New York in 1979, where she remained until her suicide in 1981.

Influences Surrealism: Man Ray Hans Bellmer René Magritte

Influences Victorian Fiction and Gothic Revival Architecture: Houses and cemeteries (abandoned and neglected ones, especially)

Influences Photography: Deborah Turbeville Miroslav Tichy Duane Michals

It’s a matter of convenience; I’m always available. – Francesca Woodman (on why she used herself as a model for her photos.)

I would rather die young leaving various accomplishments, some work, my friendship with you, and some other artifacts intact, instead of pell-mell erasing all of these delicate things. – Francesca Woodman Nov (in a letter to friend Sloan Rankin)

Themes: Angels, ghosts, death. Natural reality (nudity is not to flatter or titillate). Fading, blending in, disappearing, confinement. Breaking the Male Gaze.

Styles: Slow shutter speeds. Square (usually) formats instead of horizontal. Natural light when possible.

Woodman’s Influence Today Many photographs, especially those in advertisements, show elements of Woodman’s style.

The End