Francesca Woodman

matted, 1975-76

Gift of the photographer to the present owner, when students together at the Rhode Island School of Design in the 1970s

Another print of this image:

Chris Townsend, Francesca Woodman (London and New York, 2006), p. 133

This early print, on single-weight, slightly warm paper with a surface sheen, is in generally excellent condition. When examined in raking light, there are several small, faint soft handling creases in the upper left and lower right areas of the print, as well as a very small sharp handling crease, not breaking the emulsion, in the lower right margin corner. There are small, minor creases, in the margins of the print.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In the 1970s, artists' books and narrative sequences of images, such as those by Duane Michals, became popular. Francesca Woodman created six unique sequenced narrative books of photographs, among them Portrait of a Reputation.  The image offered here is the second image in that work, which Chris Townsend describes as 'a powerful allegory of the experience of being touched, as if being stained by that act' (Francesca Woodman, p. 236).