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)
Fruit Bowl, 1975–1999

Betty Woodman

Fruit Bowl, 1975–1999

Sale Date: January 27, 2022

Auction Closed

Cup, 1975–1999

Betty Woodman

Cup, 1975–1999

Sale Date: January 27, 2022

Auction Closed

Bowl, 1975–1999

Betty Woodman

Bowl, 1975–1999

Sale Date: January 27, 2022

Auction Closed

Bird Vessel, 1980

Betty Woodman

Bird Vessel, 1980

Sale Date: January 27, 2022

Auction Closed

Charger, 1975

Betty Woodman

Charger, 1975

Sale Date: January 21, 2022

Auction Closed

Pumpkin Soup, 1984

Betty Woodman

Pumpkin Soup, 1984

Sale Date: December 14, 2021

Auction Closed

Summer Vase, 1996

Betty Woodman

Summer Vase, 1996

Sale Date: November 11, 2021

Auction Closed

Large Double Gourd Vessel with Handle, 1970–1979

Betty Woodman

Large Double Gourd Vessel with Handle, 1970–1979

Sale Date: October 21, 2021

Auction Closed

Handled Hanging Vessel, 1970–1979

Betty Woodman

Handled Hanging Vessel, 1970–1979

Sale Date: October 21, 2021

Auction Closed

Two Hanging Vessels, 1970–1979

Betty Woodman

Two Hanging Vessels, 1970–1979

Sale Date: October 21, 2021

Auction Closed

Handled Bowl and Lidded Bowl, 1970–1979

Betty Woodman

Handled Bowl and Lidded Bowl, 1970–1979

Sale Date: October 21, 2021

Auction Closed

White Vessel with Handle, 1970–1979

Betty Woodman

White Vessel with Handle, 1970–1979

Sale Date: October 21, 2021

Auction Closed

Triple White Vessel, 1970–1979

Betty Woodman

Triple White Vessel, 1970–1979

Sale Date: October 21, 2021

Auction Closed

Charger, 1975

Betty Woodman

Charger, 1975

Sale Date: September 24, 2021

Auction Closed

Fruit Basket, 1980

Betty Woodman

Fruit Basket, 1980

Sale Date: September 24, 2021

Auction Closed

Vase, 1980

Betty Woodman

Vase, 1980

Sale Date: September 24, 2021

Auction Closed

Untitled (Pitcher with Tray), 1985

Betty Woodman

Untitled (Pitcher with Tray), 1985

Sale Date: September 24, 2021

Auction Closed

Pillow Pitcher, 1975

Betty Woodman

Pillow Pitcher, 1975

Sale Date: September 24, 2021

Auction Closed

Balustrade Relief Vase 04-7, 2004

Betty Woodman

Balustrade Relief Vase 04-7, 2004

Sale Date: July 13, 2021

Auction Closed

Glazed Ceramic Basket

Betty Woodman

Glazed Ceramic Basket

Sale Date: June 3, 2021

Auction Closed

Untitled (Vase), 1993–1996

Betty Woodman

Untitled (Vase), 1993–1996

Sale Date: May 14, 2021

Auction Closed

Untitled (Diptych), 1990

Betty Woodman

Untitled (Diptych), 1990

Sale Date: May 14, 2021

Auction Closed

TABLES AND VASES, 2006

Betty Woodman

TABLES AND VASES, 2006

Sale Date: May 14, 2021

Auction Closed

Pumpkin Soup, 1984

Betty Woodman

Pumpkin Soup, 1984

Sale Date: May 12, 2021

Auction Closed