In 1981, at just 22, the sublimely talented Francesca Woodman killed herself, leaving behind evocative photographs that influenced a generation of artists. On the eve of an exhibition, Rachel Cooke talks to her parents and friends about the young woman who is fast becoming a myth
Betty Woodman remembers with perfect clarity the day her daughter Francesca took the photograph. It was in La Specola, Florence's museum of natural history. 'Francesca was fascinated by La Specola,' she says. 'She wanted to work there, but it wasn't going to be straightforward. So she made friends with the guard and he let her in after hours. He got very nervous about it – I think he was more interested in her than in photography – so she asked me to go with her. I had to sit in a room outside, but if she squawked or sounded like she needed help, I was to go right in.'…
In the end, you can only return to the images themselves, the best of which are not only beautiful, but endlessly beguiling.
Il Capricorno, San Marco 1994,
Calle Drio La Chiesa
30124 Venice, Italy
t: +39 041 523 3799
info@victoria-miro.com
View map
During exhibitions:
London: Tuesday–Saturday: 10am–6pm.
Venice: Tuesday–Saturday: 10am–1pm & 2–6pm.
We are also closed on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.
Admission free.
All general enquiries should be sent to
info@victoria-miro.com
Victoria Miro does not accept unsolicited artist applications.
Before contacting or subscribing please read our Privacy Policy
We respect the choices you make about how you would like to hear from us. You will find links at the bottom of all emails we send from our mailing list which allow you to Update your preferences to change the way we contact you, or Unsubscribe if you want to opt out.
Read our Modern Slavery Statement here.
Read our sustainability statement here.
This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.