Joseph R. Woodwell (1842 – 1911) was an American businessman who was always more interested in painting and became known as an artist.

He gained wealth from his father's hardware business and position by serving as director of three banks.

He also continued a study and practice of painting that started when he went abroad to Paris at the age of seventeen.

Soon after the boy's birth, his father started a hardware business, known as Joseph Woodwell & Company, from which he made his wealth.

[1] As a young man, Woodwell traveled to France where he studied with Charles Gleyre.