LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Objects

Techniques:

Engraving

Description:

Engraving, with selective wiping

Support:

Slightly textured, wove handmade Nujabi paper

Dimensions:

Plate: 5 7/8 x 4 15/16" (15 x 12.5 cm); sheet: 12 3/16 × 9 3/16" (31 × 23.4 cm)

Signature:

"Louise Bourgeois 2003" lower right margin, pencil.

Publisher:

The artist

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

74; plus 12 A.P., 4 P.P., 1 B.A.T.

Impression:

"AP 1/12" lower left margin, pencil, artist's hand (?).

Edition Information:

There is a second A.P. impression in MoMA's Collection (A.P. 3/12, Accession Number 1439.2007). It is not illustrated, due to its similarity to the impression seen here.

There are also two known variant impressions of version 2, state II, outside the edition, in MoMA's Collection. One (Accession Number 1473.2012) is inscribed "MoMA Proof" by the artist; it is not illustrated, due to its similarity to this impression.

State Changes and Additions:

Changes from version 1: outline of large horseshoe transferred to new plate.
Changes from version 2, state I, in engraving: additional hatch marks added.

Background:

Bourgeois created prints as holiday gifts for a circle of friends. The editioned version of "Horseshoe" (version 2, state II) was the holiday gift for 2002. She signed the additional impressions (A.P., P.P., B.A.T.) in 2003, along with one outside the edition inscribed, "MoMA proof."

Curatorial Remarks:

To create the editioned version of "Horseshoe" (version 2, state II), Bourgeois began with a composition of two horseshoes, one large and one small. She developed the image through a series of state changes, and changes in orientation, before cutting the plate in two and separating the horseshoes. She then transferred the image of the large horseshoe to a new plate, from which the edition was printed.

The orientation of each composition is based on the signature or the printer notations on the verso. When neither is present, the orientation has been designated for cataloguing purposes.

MoMA Credit Line:

Gift of the artist

MoMA Accession Number:

1581.2008

This Work in Other Collections:

Tate Modern, London

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY