Correspondence

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.

OPENING TOMORROW: Betty Woodman, Francesca Woodman, and George Woodman in “Interior Scroll or What I did on My Vacation” at S&S Corner Shop, The Art Building, Springs, New York. On view July 24 through September 26, 2021. Organized by Soft Network. We are pleased to announce that this exhibition includes a selection of correspondence written between Betty, Francesca and George Woodman in 1978, as well as Francesca Woodman’s “Selected Video Works,” 1976-1978.

George Woodman and Betty Abrahams wrote each other regularly beginning soon after they met in 1951—while Betty was at home in Newton, MA and later in Fiesole, Italy and George at home in Concord, NH or at school at Harvard in Cambridge, MA—until they married in 1953. In 1952, after a trip to New York and a visit to an exhibition of drawings by Saul Steinberg (fellow lover of cats, who drew them frequently), George sent Betty this show announcement, remarking “these wonderful cats I got for you when I was in N.Y.”

"Let us celebrate!”—as George Woodman and friends did on this day in 1990, fêting Betty Woodman for her 60th birthday at their Chelsea loft.

As Betty wrote in this card from the '90s, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GEORGE! Pictured at the family’s Tuscan farmhouse, George happily shares space with two friendly doves, a thriving lemon tree, his sgraffito on the outdoor wall, and a good book. Betty’s photo, likely taken by George, captures the beauty of the beloved Italian landscape that informed his life and work for nearly 50 years.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In honor of the holiday George held most dear, we share one of the many Valentines he made and sent to friends each year.