Cat. No. 585/VI
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
- State/Variant:
- State VI of XVII
- Date:
- 2003
- Descriptive Title:
-
English translation: "The Reparation"
- Themes:
- Figures
- Techniques:
- Drypoint, Engraving
- Description:
- Drypoint and engraving, with blue watercolor, red and black ink, and pencil additions
- Support:
- Smooth, wove paper
- Dimensions:
- plate: 9 13/16 x 7 7/8" (25 x 20 cm); sheet: 13 3/8 x 10 5/8" (34 x 27 cm)
- Signature:
- Not signed
- Publisher:
- unpublished
- Printer:
- Harlan & Weaver, New York
- Edition:
- 1 known impression of state VI
- Impression:
- Not numbered
- Edition Information:
- Proof before the editioning of state XVII.
- State Changes and Additions:
- Matrices:
The progression of this composition, as seen in the Evolving Composition Diagram below, involved 2 plates in 3 different techniques.
Plate 1, in drypoint and engraving: man and woman.
Plate 2, in aquatint: shading in woman's shoes.
State Changes:
Plate 1 printed in black.
Changes from state V, by burnishing: drypoint lines partially removed or very lightly inked throughout.
Changes from state V, in drypoint: short hanging line added.
Changes from state V, in engraving: woman reinforced.
Additions in pencil: hanging line extended down to breast, anticipating state VIII. - Curatorial Remarks:
- A publicity poster was made with an image of state XVII for the 2002 documentary about the artist titled "C'est le murmure de l'eau qui chante." It was filmed over the course of 8 years by Brigitte Cornand, a French filmmaker who worked closely with Bourgeois in the last years of her life.
- MoMA Credit Line:
- Gift of the artist
- MoMA Accession Number:
- 1742.2008
- This Work in Other Collections:
- Tate Modern, London (state XVII)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY