LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Figures

Techniques:

Drypoint

Description:

Drypoint, with red ink and pencil additions

Support:

Smooth, wove paper

Dimensions:

plate: 4 3/4 x 5 13/16" (12 x 14.7 cm); sheet: 15 1/2 x 10" (39.3 x 25.4 cm)

Signature:

"LB" lower right margin, red ink over pencil. "LB" right lower margin, red ink.

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

2 known variant impressions of state I

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

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

State Changes and Additions:

Additions in red ink and pencil: male figure's genitals, female figure's hair, and groundline delineated, all anticipating state III; female figure's breasts delineated, anticipating state IV.
Additions in red ink: male figure's features, hair, ears, and Adam's apple delineated, and female figure's features and shoes delineated, all anticipating state III; female's figure's necklace and breasts delineated, anticipating state IV.

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:

1011.2008

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY