Cat. No. 278/II, variant 2
Embracing the Tree
- State/Variant:
- State II of II, variant
- Date:
- 2000
- Themes:
- Figures, Nature
- Techniques:
- Drypoint
- Description:
- Drypoint, with red and blue watercolor additions
- Support:
- Smooth, wove paper
- Dimensions:
- plate: 11 15/16 x 9 15/16" (30.3 x 25.2 cm); sheet: 15 3/8 x 11 1/4" (39 x 28.5 cm)
- Signature:
- Not signed
- Inscription:
- "May 1 2000. after changes to the hair." upper center margin, pencil, unknown hand.
- Publisher:
- unpublished
- Printer:
- Harlan & Weaver, New York
- Edition:
- 3 known variant impressions of state II, outside the editions on paper and fabric
- Impression:
- Not numbered
- State Changes and Additions:
- Changes from state I in drypoint: tree branches extended; hair extended; shoes shaded; hands further articulated; reinforced overall.
Changes from state I by burnishing: hair below left ear removed; shape of left shoe altered. - Background:
- According to Bourgeois’s assistant, Jerry Gorovoy, the subject of this composition came from a ritual instigated by the artist’s friend, Paulo Herkenhoff, a Brazilian curator and critic, in the late 1990s. In celebration of Easter, Herkenhoff, Gorovoy, and Bourgeois went into her backyard on Good Friday and each kissed the ground. After a few years, it was difficult for the artist to get down to the ground so they modified the ritual and began to embrace a tree instead.
- Curatorial Remarks:
- In July 2000, "Interview," also known as "Andy Warhol’s Interview," commissioned seven artists to create work to be reproduced in the October 2000 issue of the magazine. The resulting portfolio, “Stop and Smell the Roses,” is described in the issue as “a reminder that awareness of life’s incredibleness makes each day a better one.” Bourgeois contributed "Embracing the Tree" state II, variant 3 seen in the Evolving Composition Diagram below. Cecily Brown, Pat Steir, Enzo Cucchi, Yoshitomo Nara, and the collaborative duo Tim Noble and Sue Webster also contributed work to the portfolio.
- MoMA Credit Line:
- Gift of the artist
- MoMA Accession Number:
- 960.2008
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Embracing the Tree
2000
Source
2000
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
Embracing of the Tree
Pencil, charcoal, and ink on paper
2000
Pencil, charcoal, and ink on paper
2000
Source
2000
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
Embracing the Tree
Ink and pencil on paper
2000
Ink and pencil on paper
2000
States
State I of II
2000
2000
State II of II, variant
2000
2000
State II of II, variant
2000
2000
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
State II of II, variant
2000
2000
Published
State II of II
2000
2000
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
State II of II
2000
2000
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
State II of II
2000
2000
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
State II of II
2000
2000
-
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
