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The second known impression of the only state is known only through photocopies held at the Archives of American Art. The lower left margin of this second impression is inscribed "escalier de 63 -- to Babette / Tout le monde voit quelle est belle," It is signed, numbered "1/4," and dated 1939.
Background:
The title of this composition references the stairs at 63 Park Avenue. Louise Bourgeois lived at that address with her husband, Robert Goldwater, from the time of the artist's arrival in New York on October 12, 1938 until September 1939.
American painter and printmaker, Will Barnet (1911-2012) was the master printer at The Art Students League and printed Bourgeois's lithographs.
The inscription on the other known impression of this composition (known only through a photocopy) references Babette Deutsch (1895–1982). Deutsch was a poet, novelist, and critic, and taught at Columbia University.
Curatorial Remarks:
The inscription "L. Bourgeois" may have been added by printer Will Barnet to keep track of impressions he printed at the Art Students League. This impression was in the collection of Will Barnet.
In Wye and Smith, "The Prints of Louise Bourgeois," 1994, p. 136, this composition was titled "Babette." At the time, it was known only through Bourgeois's print list.
The verso of this impression contains a lithograph with no signature by an unknown artist.
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