LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Figures, Motherhood & Family

Techniques:

Aquatint, Drypoint, Engraving

Description:

Aquatint, drypoint, and engraving

Support:

Paper

Dimensions:

plate: 18 15/16 × 23 13/16" (48.1 × 60.5 cm); sheet: 28 × 35 3/4" (71.1 × 90.8 cm)

Signature:

Not signed

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

1 known impression of component A, version 2, state VI

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

This composition was issued as 4 separate editions:

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.

Changes from version 2, state V, by burnishing: stray aquatint removed from adult’s shin, breast, and hair.

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).

Curatorial Remarks:

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

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY