Francesca Woodman

a unique diptych, comprising a Self-Portrait in Pearls, signed, titled, and dated in pencil on the reverse, and an Anonymous Snapshot of a Woman in Pearls, matted together, inscribed and signed by Woodman in pencil on the reverse of the mat, 'hank do you remember when you bought me those old photographs on canal street last summer, the day before I went away.  I liked this lady w/ the pearls best, so i made a companion for her, for you.  Amore Francesca,' 1975-76; accompanied by a typed letter, annotated, from Woodman to Hank, dated 22 July 1979 (Francesca Woodman, p. 17) (2)

The photographer to Hank Londoner, 1979

These prints, affixed by Woodman to a cream-colored board overmat with cloth tape, are in generally very good condition. -'Pearls': Visible in raking light, the print is speckled with transparent droplets of an indeterminate nature and dust. There is a barely visible one-inch crease that does not break the emulsion in the upper center of the image. There is slight edge rippling. The reverse is speckled with light rust-colored droplets. -'Snapshot of a Woman': Visible in raking light, the print is speckled with tiny transparent droplets of an indeterminate nature and dust. There is slight edge rippling. The mat is soiled throughout with liquid droplets, graphite, and stray crayon marks. The corners and edges are bumped. On the reverse, there is a small surface loss to the right edge of the mat.
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 letter accompanying the photographs offered here, Woodman writes, 'I spent this week doing something about one of the pictures that we bought together the last day I was there about a lady with pearls except that I printed them up yesterday and I only really like one of them, however this one is very different from anything I've ever done . . . If I still like it next week I'll send it to you.'