FRANCESCA WOODMAN DIAZOTYPES
The Better Image Project, completed March 2024Francesca Woodman
Caryatid
1980
Diazotype
approx. 76 7/8’ x 36 3/8’
Woodman Family Foundation
Condition
This untitled unmounted self-portrait diazotype comes from Francesca Woodman’s Caryatid series. As received, this photograph was in generally very good condition. It appears chemically stable with
deep, rich tonalities, although the process is known to be light sensitive. Physically there are a number
of minor disruptions generally confined to the perimeter. These include surface abrasions along the
top, bottom, and lower right edges, a complex tear at the right of the top edge which also has a small
loss associated with it. Along the bottom edge, toward the left corner, there are small losses that have
exposed the underlying white paper fibers and a small tear toward the center. The bottom right edge is
slightly crushed and disrupted along six inches.Treatment Report
- Edge tears were realigned and mended with 4% Klucel G in ethanol with Japanese paper adhered to the verso for additional support. The loss at the tear on the top center edge was bridged with Japanese paper adhered to the verso with 4% Klucel G in ethanol and then filled with an insert made from an original diazotype sample provided by the Woodman Family Foundation. This was also adhered with Klucel G, with additional toning using Carbothello® pencils along the edges of the inserted fill.
- Creases and damaged areas at the lower right edge were relaxed with controlled moisture, flattened and reinforced from the verso with mends of Japanese paper adhered with 4% Klucel G.
- Areas of losses were toned using Carbothello® pencils applied directly. Our goal was to reduce the visual impact of these losses under normal viewing conditions.
Francesca Woodman
Blueprint for a Temple II, Fragments #25, #26, #27, and #28
1980
Diazotype
various dimensions
Woodman Family Foundation
︎︎︎See Blueprint for a Temple II Installation Information
#25: Scattered handling creases, surface abrasion, and overall inward curl of print due to rolling. Fragment at corner at risk of detaching. Six horizontal creases in center and another moderate crease at edge of print. Seven pinholes with minor associated skinning and image loss.
#26: Significant skinning on recto of print along with scattered handling creases, fine abrasions, torn and uneven edges. Pinholes in center of print and edges. Overall inward curl due to rolled storage. Blue pencil mark on print, uneven image fading. Tape adhered on the corner of the verso of print with remnants of skinned print adhered. The tape creates a hard distortion in the area and is unable to lay flat.
#27 and #28: They both exhibit an overall inward curl, minor to moderate creases and folds, small pinholes with minor losses, while the largest of the diazotypes (#27) exhibits a significant amount of skinning and edge tears.
#26: Consolidated and mended edge tears using wheat starch paste and Japanese paper mends applied to verso. Locally humidified and flattened creases.
#27: Realigned and mended tears with 4% Klucel G in ethanol with Japanese paper adhered to the verso for additional support. Scattered areas of dye losses, abrasions, and tears were toned using Carbothello® pencils applied directly. Our goal was to reduce the visual impact of these losses under normal viewing conditions.
#28: Realigned and mended tears with 4% Klucel G in ethanol with Japanese paper adhered to the verso for additional support. Losses on the top left corner and bottom right corner were bridged with Japanese paper adhered to the verso with 4% Klucel G in ethanol and then filled with an insert made from an original diazotype sample provided by the Woodman Family Foundation. This was also adhered with Klucel G. Additional toning used Carbothello® pencils along the edges of the inserted fill. Scattered areas of dye losses, abrasions, and tears were toned using Carbothello® pencils applied directly. Our goal was to reduce the visual impact of these losses under normal viewing conditions.
Blueprint for a Temple II, Fragments #25, #26, #27, and #28
1980
Diazotype
various dimensions
Woodman Family Foundation
︎︎︎See Blueprint for a Temple II Installation Information
Condition
These diazotypes exhibit an overall inward curl, minor to moderate creases and folds, small pinholes with minor losses, while the largest of the diazotypes exhibits a significant amount of skinning and edge tears.#25: Scattered handling creases, surface abrasion, and overall inward curl of print due to rolling. Fragment at corner at risk of detaching. Six horizontal creases in center and another moderate crease at edge of print. Seven pinholes with minor associated skinning and image loss.
#26: Significant skinning on recto of print along with scattered handling creases, fine abrasions, torn and uneven edges. Pinholes in center of print and edges. Overall inward curl due to rolled storage. Blue pencil mark on print, uneven image fading. Tape adhered on the corner of the verso of print with remnants of skinned print adhered. The tape creates a hard distortion in the area and is unable to lay flat.
#27 and #28: They both exhibit an overall inward curl, minor to moderate creases and folds, small pinholes with minor losses, while the largest of the diazotypes (#27) exhibits a significant amount of skinning and edge tears.
Treatment Report
#25: Consolidated and mended edge tears using wheat starch paste and Japanese paper mends applied to verso.#26: Consolidated and mended edge tears using wheat starch paste and Japanese paper mends applied to verso. Locally humidified and flattened creases.
#27: Realigned and mended tears with 4% Klucel G in ethanol with Japanese paper adhered to the verso for additional support. Scattered areas of dye losses, abrasions, and tears were toned using Carbothello® pencils applied directly. Our goal was to reduce the visual impact of these losses under normal viewing conditions.
#28: Realigned and mended tears with 4% Klucel G in ethanol with Japanese paper adhered to the verso for additional support. Losses on the top left corner and bottom right corner were bridged with Japanese paper adhered to the verso with 4% Klucel G in ethanol and then filled with an insert made from an original diazotype sample provided by the Woodman Family Foundation. This was also adhered with Klucel G. Additional toning used Carbothello® pencils along the edges of the inserted fill. Scattered areas of dye losses, abrasions, and tears were toned using Carbothello® pencils applied directly. Our goal was to reduce the visual impact of these losses under normal viewing conditions.
