Betty Woodman

(American, 1930–2018)

Betty Woodman was a ceramic artist best known for her exuberantly colorful and inventive work which gained recognition in the early 1970s. She often worked with a deconstructed version of the traditional ceramic vessel, with her pieces ranging from massive site-specific murals to fragmentary columns and carpet-like floor pieces. “It makes good sense to use clay for pots, vases, pitchers, and platters, but I like to have things both ways,” the artist explained. “I make things that could be functional, but I really want them to be considered works of art.” In its use of color and pattern, Woodman’s early work can be seen as a reaction to the overwhelmingly austere Minimalist and Conceptual aesthetic prevalent at the time. Born on May 14, 1930 in Norwalk, CT, she studied art at Alfred University, and was notably the mother of the celebrated late photographer Francesca Woodman. Betty Woodman’s works can be found in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, among others. She died on January 3, 2018 at the age of 87.

Betty Woodman Artworks

Betty Woodman (314 results)
Tang pillow pitcher, 1980

Betty Woodman

Tang pillow pitcher, 1980

Sale Date: April 16, 2012

Auction Closed

Pillow pitcher, 1980–1989

Betty Woodman

Pillow pitcher, 1980–1989

Sale Date: February 25, 2012

Auction Closed

Nighttime (Kimono vase), 1990

Betty Woodman

Nighttime (Kimono vase), 1990

Sale Date: November 6, 2011

Auction Closed

Turquoise pitcher with tray, 1983

Betty Woodman

Turquoise pitcher with tray, 1983

Sale Date: June 4, 2011

Auction Closed

Jardiniere, 1980

Betty Woodman

Jardiniere, 1980

Sale Date: June 4, 2011

Auction Closed

Three princesses with shadows, 1984

Betty Woodman

Three princesses with shadows, 1984

Sale Date: June 4, 2011

Auction Closed

Platter

Betty Woodman

Platter

Sale Date: February 7, 2011

Auction Closed

Teapot

Betty Woodman

Teapot

Sale Date: February 7, 2011

Auction Closed

Pillow pitcher, 1980

Betty Woodman

Pillow pitcher, 1980

Sale Date: January 11, 2011

Auction Closed

On the way to India, 1988

Betty Woodman

On the way to India, 1988

Sale Date: December 17, 2010

Auction Closed

Vase, 1984

Betty Woodman

Vase, 1984

Sale Date: December 15, 2010

Auction Closed

Pillow pitcher no. 6, 1981

Betty Woodman

Pillow pitcher no. 6, 1981

Sale Date: November 14, 2010

Auction Closed

Villa della Farnesina drawing no.1 (on 2..., 1986

Betty Woodman

Villa della Farnesina drawing no.1 (on 2..., 1986

Sale Date: November 7, 2010

Auction Closed

French garden centerpiece and vase (set of 2)

Betty Woodman

French garden centerpiece and vase (set of 2)

Sale Date: October 3, 2010

Auction Closed

French garden centerpiece (+ Vase, smllr; 2 works)

Betty Woodman

French garden centerpiece (+ Vase, smllr; 2 works)

Sale Date: April 25, 2010

Auction Closed

French garden jardiniere

Betty Woodman

French garden jardiniere

Sale Date: January 17, 2010

Auction Closed

Pillow pitcher, 1980

Betty Woodman

Pillow pitcher, 1980

Sale Date: November 14, 2009

Auction Closed

Lidded jar

Betty Woodman

Lidded jar

Sale Date: April 25, 2009

Auction Closed

Urn, 1970

Betty Woodman

Urn, 1970

Sale Date: April 25, 2009

Auction Closed

Reflective vases, 2006

Betty Woodman

Reflective vases, 2006

Sale Date: April 25, 2009

Auction Closed

Roman interior no. 2, 2005

Betty Woodman

Roman interior no. 2, 2005

Sale Date: April 25, 2009

Auction Closed

Balustrade relief vase 21, 1991

Betty Woodman

Balustrade relief vase 21, 1991

Sale Date: March 27, 2009

Auction Closed

Urn

Betty Woodman

Urn

Sale Date: October 25, 2008

Auction Closed

Urn

Betty Woodman

Urn

Sale Date: October 25, 2008

Auction Closed