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LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Louise Bourgeois: Complete Books & Prints
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Cat. No. 991.5/I, variant

Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition

State/Variant:
Version 5 of 5, state I of VII, variant
Date:
1995
Alternate Title:
Three Figures; New York USA
Themes:
Architecture
Techniques:
Photogravure
Description:
Photogravure, with red ink and pencil additions
Support:
Smooth, wove paper
Dimensions:
plate: 7 1/8 x 5 13/16" (18.1 x 14.7 cm); sheet: 11 x 8 1/16" (28 x 20.5 cm)
Signature:
Not signed
Publisher:
unpublished
Printer:
Harlan & Weaver, New York for printing,
Renaissance Press, Ashuelot, NH for platemaking (see Curatorial Remarks)
Edition:
5 known impressions of version 5, state I
Impression:
Not numbered
Edition Information:
Proof before the editioning of version 5, state VII in the second edition.

There are 3 additional known impressions of this state in MoMA's Collection (Accession Numbers: 1300.2008, 1305.2012, and 1306.2012). They are not illustrated due to their similarity to the impressions seen here.
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from version 4: composition transferred to new plate in photogravure (see Curatorial Remarks).
Background:
Bourgeois issued the first edition of “He Disappeared into Complete Silence” in 1947. (See cat. no. 1228.) At that time, while actively working in printmaking at the Atelier 17 workshop, she decided to create an illustrated book edition with hopes of making her work more widely known. As it turned out, the book was not a success and Bourgeois never completed the announced edition of 54 examples. It frustrated her that she had never finished the project and, much later, in the early 1980s, she began efforts to reissue the book.

Bourgeois could not locate the printing plates for the nine illustrations, so she set about producing new ones. She worked first, in 1984, with printer Deli Sacilotto, of Iris Editions, New York, to create photogravures using 1947 impressions of Plates 1, 3, and the “Alternative Plate.” Then, in 1990, she created engraved versions of Plates 2 and 6 with the assistance of Christian Guérin of Gravure, New York. First, though, in order to determine whether Guérin’s engraving was suitable, she asked him to engrave two similar compositions. (See “Atlantic Avenue: Transparent Houses” [cat. nos. 1054.1, .2, .3].)

In 1993, Bourgeois finally turned the project over to printer Felix Harlan of Harlan & Weaver, New York, with whom she had begun to work on a regular basis. Harlan would ultimately serve as both printer and coordinator of the second edition. He started out by making reprints of some of the 1983 photogravures created with Sacilotto, and the 1990 engravings created with Guérin. In addition, since by then Bourgeois had located three of the original printing plates from the 1940s (two versions of Plate 3 and one version of Plate 4), Harlan made reprints from those, but they were too distressed for use in a future edition. He also attempted to remake Plates 5, 8, and 9 in drypoint and/or etching. Finally, Bourgeois decided to work with photogravure as the starting-off point for all the compositions in the book, in order to keep the plates as close as possible to those of the 1947 edition. In 1995, new photogravure plates were made by Renaissance Press from photographs of the first edition in the New York Public Library (cat. no. 1228, Example 12). Working with Harlan, Bourgeois ultimately re-worked these photogravure plates with engraving, also adding aquatint, drypoint, scorper and watercolor additions in some instances.

The 1947 first edition of “He Disappeared into Complete Silence” includes “vintage” examples issued in 1947 or thereabouts, as well as “assembled” examples that Bourgeois compiled in the 1980s from prints and texts that remained in her possession. Some of the “assembled” examples, including the one in the New York Public Library, have ten plates rather than the standard nine plates. The tenth plate is a composition called “Alternative Plate” for cataloguing purposes. The second edition includes this “Alternative Plate,” as well as an entirely new eleventh plate titled, “Spider.”

Bourgeois worked intermittently on this project for over a decade, with the second edition appearing in 2005 as a benefit publication for the Department of Prints and Illustrated Books, The Museum of Modern Art, New York. In addition to eleven plates, the book includes text pages from 1947 that had remained with Bourgeois, as well as a new table of contents, foreword, and colophon. The housing was constructed to match that of the 1947 first edition.
Artist’s Remarks:
These three seem "formidable," Bourgeois contended. But the structure in the middle is a "lighthouse," and "it is supposed to be helpful and useful. These are creatures of dignity, not of hostility. They are desperate to do the right thing. The lighthouse is there to throw light... to give guidance. But it is a difficult world.... The left is moi; the other two are always moving and manipulating. Even the lighthouse moves closer, inviting jealousy. There are differences within the relationships." (Quotes cited in Wye, Deborah and Carol Smith. "The Prints of Louise Bourgeois." New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1994, p. 80.)
Curatorial Remarks:
According to printer Paul Taylor, of Renaissance Press, the print workshop re-located from Hinsdale to Ashuelot, New Hampshire. On the colophon, the place is given as Hinsdale.

The Renaissance Press made photogravures from photographs of all ten plates in the New York Public Library’s example of “He Disappeared into Complete Silence” (cat. no. 1228, Example 12) to serve as the starting-off point for the second edition (see Background).
MoMA Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:
1301.2008

Plate 3, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence
1946-2005

First Version

Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence. 1946-1947
Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence
Version 1 of 5, only state
1946-1947
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1946-1947; reprinted 1993
Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 1 of 5, only state, variant
1946-1947; reprinted 1993

Second Version

Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 15). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 15)
Version 2 of 5, only state
1947
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1946-47; reprinted 1993
Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 2 of 5, only state, variant
1946-47; reprinted 1993

Third Version

Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 14). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 14)
Version 3 of 5, state I of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 13). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 13)
Version 3 of 5, state II of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 12). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 12)
Version 3 of 5, state III of VI
1947
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence. 1946-1947
Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence
Version 3 of 5, state IV of VI
1946-1947
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence. 1946-1947
Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence
Version 3 of 5, state V of VI
1946-1947
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence. 1946-1947
Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence
Version 3 of 5, state V of VI
1946-1947
Published Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 1). 1947
Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 1)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 2). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 2)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 3). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 3)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 4). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 4)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 5). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 5)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 6). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 6)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 7). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 7)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 8). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 8)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 9). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 9)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 10). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 10)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 11). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 11)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 17). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 17)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 19). 1947
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 19)
Version 3 of 5, state VI of VI
1947

Fourth Version

Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence. 1984
Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence
Version 4 of 5, only state
1984
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 16). 1984, after a 1947 impression
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 16)
Version 4 of 5, only state
1984, after a 1947 impression
Published NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 18). 1984, after a 1947 impression
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION Plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 18)
Version 4 of 5, only state
1984, after a 1947 impression

Fifth Version

Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state I of VII
1995
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state I of VII, variant
1995
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state II of VII
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state II of VII, variant
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state III of VII
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state IV of VII
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state V of VII
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state V of VII, variant
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state V of VII, variant
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state V of VII, variant
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state VI of VII
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state VI of VII, variant
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state VI of VII, variant
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state VI of VII, variant
1995-2003
Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 1995-2003
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state VII of VII, variant
1995-2003
Published Louise Bourgeois. Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 2005
Plate 3 of 11, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition
Version 5 of 5, state VII of VII
2005

Illustrated Book
1947

Louise Bourgeois. He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition. 1947
He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first...
1947
More About This Work

Illustrated Book
2005

Louise Bourgeois. He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second edition. 2005
He Disappeared into Complete Silence, second...
2005
More About This Work

Illustrated Book
1947 (first edition); 2005 (second edition)

Louise Bourgeois. He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first and second editions. 1947 (first edition); 2005 (second edition)
He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first and...
1947 (first edition); 2005 (second edition)
More About This Work