LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Figures, Objects

Techniques:

Drypoint

Description:

Drypoint, with red ink additions

Support:

Smooth, wove paper

Dimensions:

plate: 10 15/16 x 8 7/16" (27.8 x 21.5 cm); sheet: 14 9/16 x 11" (37 x 28 cm)

Signature:

"LB" lower right margin, red ink.

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

1 known impression of version 1, state III

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

Proof before the editioning of version 2, state II.

State Changes and Additions:

Changes from version 1, state I, by burnishing: some details and shading removed.
Changes from version 1, state I, in drypoint: body parts added or altered on various figures; necklace added and cane reoriented on female figure in top row.

Background:

According to the Louise Bourgeois Studio, this image is based on Bourgeois's observation of people lining up on Saturday morning to receive packages of food from the rectory of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, located across the street from her home on West 20th Street. The artist also made a sculpture and a drypoint edition of the rectory building, both titled "The Rectory" and seen below as Related Works.

Artist’s Remarks:

Inscribed on the verso of the study: "les plus malheureux que toi" upper center sheet, pencil, artist's hand; "coude ou elbow / is moving." center sheet, pencil, artist's hand; "Crutches / bequilles [sic] / les boiteuses" lower right sheet, pencil, artist's hand.

MoMA Credit Line:

Gift of the artist

MoMA Accession Number:

1069.2008

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY