LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Figures, Motherhood & Family

Techniques:

Aquatint, Drypoint, Engraving

Description:

Aquatint, drypoint, and engraving, with watercolor, ink, and gouache

Support:

Paper

Dimensions:

plate (a): 18 15/16 × 23 13/16" (48.1 × 60.5 cm); plate (b): 18 13/16 × 35 9/16" (47.8 × 90.4 cm); plate (c): 18 13/16 × 29 5/16" (47.8 × 74.4 cm); sheets (3 lined up left to right): 70 1/2 × 283 13/16" (179.1 × 720.9 cm)

Signature:

"Louise Bourgeois" lower right margin (each sheet), pencil.

Publisher:

The artist

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

6 known variant triptychs, outside the final edition

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

This composition was issued as 4 separate editions:

Single sheet: “Arched Figure”: 50; plus 10 P.P. (numbered I/X-X/X)

Diptych: “Diptych for the Red Room”: 3

Triptych 1: “Arch of Hysteria” (photocopy; reduced size): 3 completed, of an announced edition of 7

Triptych 2: “Triptych for the Red Room”: 30; plus 10 A.P.

In the evolution of “Triptych for the Red Room,” the artist worked with impressions of components A, B, and C at various states. She also combined impressions at various states to create 6 unnumbered triptychs: three signed, with hand additions; two signed, with no hand additions; one unsigned, with no hand additions.

The Evolving Composition Diagram includes all works described above.

There are 4 printer's studies in MoMA's Collection (Accession Numbers: 470.2010, 471.2010, 472.2010, 473.2010). They are not illustrated here.

State Changes and Additions:

Matrices:
The progression of this composition involved 13 plates as well as photocopy versions of each component. The 13 plates included linear elements of the composition in drypoint and engraving; aquatint shading in the figures’ bodies; and various aquatint backgrounds.

State Changes:
Given the complexity of the development of this composition, the Evolving Composition Diagram is arranged by Component (A, B, and C for each sheet of this 3-sheet composition) and Format (single sheet, diptych and triptych) rather than by State and Version. State and Version changes are described, but specific plates (of the 13 utilized for this composition) are not identified.

(A): Changes from version 2, state III, in aquatint: new striated background replaces original solid background.

(B): Changes from version 3, state II, in drypoint: hatching added to arched child, creating shadow along underside of figure.
Additions in hand coloring: arched child further delineated and shaded, and pattern added to adult figures, all anticipating version 3, state IV.

(C): Changes from version 2, state III, in aquatint: new striated background replaces original solid background.

Background:

"Triptych for the Red Room" was first exhibited in 1994 at Peter Blum Gallery with Bourgeois' related dual installation pieces, "Red Room (Parents)" and "Red Room (Child)" (see Related Works in Other Mediums).

Artist’s Remarks:

Inscribed on the source drawing for component C: "Which one are you? Today? / The tall one or the short one / I can be either one. / You have to be / Ready to deal / with a scene / like this. I could not / even carry the bundle"

Curatorial Remarks:

Catalogue Numbers for the various impressions refer to their location within the Evolving Composition Diagram, rather than to the version or state.

This Work in Other Collections:

Davis Museum at Wellesley College, MA

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY