LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Descriptive Title:

English translation: "Madness"; Woman and House in Boomerang

Themes:

Abstraction, Architecture, Figures, Objects

Techniques:

Drypoint

Description:

Drypoint, with red and blue ink, white correction fluid, and pencil additions

Support:

Smooth, wove paper

Dimensions:

plate: 8 7/8 x 11 7/8" (22.5 x 30.2 cm); sheet: 11 1/4 x 16 7/8" (28.6 x 42.8 cm)

Signature:

"LB" lower right margin, red ink.

Inscription:

"HC" lower left margin, red ink, unknown hand.

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

4 known impressions of state III

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

Not issued as a published edition at any state.

The "HC" inscription, in the artist's hand, does not indicate a conventional H.C. impression, which would be included in an edition.

The fourth impression of this state is in MoMA's Collection (Accession Number: 946.2008). It is not illustrated, due to its similarity to an impression already illustrated (Accession Number: 947.2008).

State Changes and Additions:

Changes from state II, in drypoint: shading added to doors and roof of house, and ends of boomerang; line under house further delineated.

Background:

In 1941, Bourgeois and her family purchased a small country house in Easton, Connecticut, which remains in the family. The inscription on the verso of the source drawing for this composition refers to Easton as well as Michel, one of the artist's three sons.

Artist’s Remarks:

Inscribed on the verso of the source drawing: "La Folie / Souvenir de Michel à Easton / Do snakes have eyes and excrements / Some are nice, some are mean. Accept it. Boa Constrictor. Sept. 99"

MoMA Credit Line:

Gift of the artist

MoMA Accession Number:

949.2008

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY