LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Figures

Techniques:

Drypoint

Description:

Drypoint, with black and red ink additions

Support:

Smooth, wove paper

Dimensions:

plate: 4 3/4 x 5 3/4" (12 x 14.6 cm); sheet: 15 3/8 x 11 1/8" (39.1 x 28.3 cm)

Signature:

"LB" lower right margin, black and 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unpublished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 IV on paper and of state V on fabric.

State Changes and Additions:

Additions in red ink: female figure's hair and features delineated, anticipating state II; male figure's hair and penis delineated, anticipating state II; a lower ground line delineated, anticipating state III.
Additions in black ink: female figure's features and necklace delineated, anticipating state II; her shoes further delineated, anticipating state III; male figure's hair, features, and penis delineated, anticipating state II; a lower ground line 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:

1043.2008

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY