LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Figures

Techniques:

Drypoint

Description:

Drypoint, with red, blue and black ink, white gouache and pencil additions

Support:

Smooth, wove paper

Dimensions:

plate: 4 3/4 x 5 13/16" (12 x 14.8 cm); sheet: 11 1/4 x 7 11/16" (28.5 x 19.5 cm)

Signature:

"LB" lower right margin, red ink.

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

1 known impression of state III

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

Proof before the editioning of state IX on paper and of state X on fabric.

State Changes and Additions:

Changes from state II in drypoint: female figure's hair and necklace delineated; male figure's hair delineated.
Additions in red ink: female figure's left nipple delineated, anticipating state VI; male figure's Adam's apple delineated, anticipating state VII; female figure's hair further delineated, anticipating state IV; male figure's hair further delineated, antiicipating state VIII; female figure's shoes further delineated, anticipating state VI.
Additions in black ink: curving ground line delineated, anticipating state VI.
Additions in white gouache: male figure's upper right arm masked out, anticipating re-configureation in state V.
Additions in pencil: female figure's features delineated, anticipating state V; her shoes further delineated, anticipating states VI and VII.

Background:

The artist told printer Felix Harlan that the figures in this series are playing an adult version of a French children's game, known as "faire des galipettes," meaning to do somersaults. In fact, the expression "faire des galipettes" is also slang for having sex, a punning reference that Bourgeois must have enjoyed.

MoMA Credit Line:

Gift of the artist

MoMA Accession Number:

1030.2008

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY