LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Figures, Objects

Techniques:

Drypoint

Description:

Drypoint, with blue pencil additions

Support:

Smooth, wove paper

Dimensions:

plate: 5 1/2 x 9 15/16" (14 x 25.3 cm); sheet: 8 1/8 x 12" (20.6 x 30.5 cm)

Signature:

"LB" lower right margin, pencil.

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

3 known variant impressions of version 2, state I

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

Proof before the editioning of version 2, state II.

The third known variant impression is not in MoMA's Collection and is not reproduced due to its similiarity to the impression seen here.

State Changes and Additions:

Changes from version 1: two rows of figures eliminated; one row of figures transferred to new plate, in drypoint.
Changes from version 1, in drypoint: long hair, necklace, breast, and high-heeled shoes added to female figure; hair added to two of male figures; toes articulated on three male figures.

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:

1463.2012

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY