Francesca Woodman

Untitled, Providence, Rhode Island

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About this artwork

Woodman perches naked on a chair, appearing defensive and vulnerable. This is one of the few self-portraits where we see the artist’s full face. The vague black body imprinted on the floor seems to walk through the ground, as if descending into a nether world, while the desolate setting creates a chilling atmosphere. This is one of a series of photographs displaying the influence of Surrealism in the way it explores the supernatural. Woodman usually puts herself in the frame, although these are not conventional self-portraits. Instead, she explores issues of gender, self and the representation of the body in relation to its surroundings. An underlying fragility is emphasised by the small and intimate format of the photographs.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    Francesca Woodman (1958 - 1981) American
  • title:
    Untitled, Providence, Rhode Island
  • date created:
    1976
  • materials:
    Gelatin silver print on paper
  • measurements:
    14.30 x 14.40 cm (paper 25.20 x 20.30 cm) (framed: 45.80 x 40.20 x 2.00 cm)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2008
  • accession number:
    AR00352
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
This artwork is part of Artist Rooms
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Francesca Woodman

Francesca Woodman