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)
Triptych (Tulips), 1991

Betty Woodman

Triptych (Tulips), 1991

Sale Date: October 5, 2019

Auction Closed

Morning Vase and Shadow, 1985

Betty Woodman

Morning Vase and Shadow, 1985

Sale Date: September 21, 2019

Auction Closed

Punch bowl with eleven cups, 1975–1999

Betty Woodman

Punch bowl with eleven cups, 1975–1999

Sale Date: September 21, 2019

Auction Closed

Teapot, four teacups, two dinner..., 1960–1980

Betty Woodman

Teapot, four teacups, two dinner..., 1960–1980

Sale Date: September 21, 2019

Auction Closed

Vase with cut-outs, 1980

Betty Woodman

Vase with cut-outs, 1980

Sale Date: September 21, 2019

Auction Closed

Divided Aegean Pillow Pitcher, 1985

Betty Woodman

Divided Aegean Pillow Pitcher, 1985

Sale Date: September 21, 2019

Auction Closed

Teapot and Bowl

Betty Woodman

Teapot and Bowl

Sale Date: August 8, 2019

Auction Closed

Betty Woodman Glazed Earthenware Pillow..., 1981

Betty Woodman

Betty Woodman Glazed Earthenware Pillow..., 1981

Sale Date: June 5, 2019

Auction Closed

Untitled sculpture (vase on wall bracket), 1990

Betty Woodman

Untitled sculpture (vase on wall bracket), 1990

Sale Date: June 6, 2019

Auction Closed

Exceptional large sculpture,

Betty Woodman

Exceptional large sculpture, "Shadowy Napkin , 1984

Sale Date: May 19, 2019

Auction Closed

Plateau Tray, 1980

Betty Woodman

Plateau Tray, 1980

Sale Date: May 17, 2019

Auction Closed

Trays, 1980

Betty Woodman

Trays, 1980

Sale Date: May 17, 2019

Auction Closed

Ribbon Vase, 1978

Betty Woodman

Ribbon Vase, 1978

Sale Date: May 17, 2019

Auction Closed

Teapot, 1985

Betty Woodman

Teapot, 1985

Sale Date: April 15, 2019

Auction Closed

Teapot and Bowl

Betty Woodman

Teapot and Bowl

Sale Date: April 15, 2019

Auction Closed

Low Bowl, 1980–1989

Betty Woodman

Low Bowl, 1980–1989

Sale Date: April 15, 2019

Auction Closed

On the Way to India, 1988

Betty Woodman

On the Way to India, 1988

Sale Date: April 15, 2019

Auction Closed

Polychrome Bowl, 1980–1989

Betty Woodman

Polychrome Bowl, 1980–1989

Sale Date: April 15, 2019

Auction Closed

Two-Handled Vase, 1980–1989

Betty Woodman

Two-Handled Vase, 1980–1989

Sale Date: April 15, 2019

Auction Closed

Diptych, Two Vases, 1980–1989

Betty Woodman

Diptych, Two Vases, 1980–1989

Sale Date: April 15, 2019

Auction Closed

SIENNA, 2005

Betty Woodman

SIENNA, 2005

Sale Date: April 30, 2019

Auction Closed

STANDING BEAUTY, 1997

Betty Woodman

STANDING BEAUTY, 1997

Sale Date: March 20, 2019

Auction Closed

Rare bisque basket, New York, 1970–1979

Betty Woodman

Rare bisque basket, New York, 1970–1979

Sale Date: January 20, 2019

Auction Closed

Early basket, Tang-style glaze, New York, 1970–1979

Betty Woodman

Early basket, Tang-style glaze, New York, 1970–1979

Sale Date: January 20, 2019

Auction Closed