LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Descriptive Title:

English translation: "Ode to Forgetting"

Themes:

Fabric Works, Words

Techniques:

Lithography

Description:

Lithograph

Support:

Fabric

Dimensions:

sheet: 11 1/4 x 8 1/2" (28.6 x 21.6 cm)

Signature:

"LB" right lower sheet, stitched in red thread.

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

SOLO Impression, New York

Edition:

7 known variant impressions of version 1, only state

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

Proof before version 2 was used as the cover of the 2002 unique fabric illustrated book and before the editioning of the 2004 fabric illustrated book.

Of the 7 known variant impressions of version 1, there are 4 that vary only slightly due to subtle patterns in each fabric. Three of the 4 impressions are not illustrated, due to their similarity to the impression seen here. There is also a second impression on a polka dot handkerchief not illustrated here due to its similarity to the example included in the Evolving Compostion Diagram below.

Curatorial Remarks:

In deciding the font size, layout, background, and sheet size for the cover of "Ode à l'Oubli," Bourgeois made trial versions. She also made trial versions for the text pages within the book.

Other Remarks:

Bourgeois's assistant, Jerry Gorovoy, remembers a circumflex accent was mistakenly printed on the "A" on the trials for the cover, and on the cover and spine of the unique 2002 book. He is not sure how Bourgeois missed the error. When the cover for the editioned version was made in 2004, it was decided that the title looked best printed with all capital letters, with no accent, and with no italics.

Public Collection:

Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art; Yale University Art Gallery

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY