LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Nature, Words

Techniques:

Drypoint, Engraving

Description:

Drypoint, engraving, and aquatint

Support:

Smooth, wove paper

Dimensions:

plate: 21 15/16 x 26" (55.7 x 66 cm); sheet: 28 9/16 x 32 1/8" (72.5 x 81.6 cm)

Signature:

Not signed

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

2 known impressions of version 2, state VIII

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

Proof before the editioning of version 2, state IX.

The second known impression of version 2, state VIII is not illustrated, due to its similarity to the impression seen here. It includes the following inscription: "H.C. / hors / commence." The inscription does not indicate a conventional H.C. impression, which would be of the final state.

State Changes and Additions:

Matrices:
The progression of this version 2, as seen in the Evolving Composition Diagram below, involved 3 plates.

Plate 1: overall composition, printed in black.
Plate 2: hatching in trees, printed in red.
Plate 3: shading along left, upper, and right contours of plate, printed in blue.

State Changes:
Plate 2, printed in red, over plate 1, printed in black, over plate 3, printed in blue.
Changes from version 2, state VII, in drypoint: road reinforced.

Background:

Louise Bourgeois, her husband Robert Goldwater, and their son Michel Bourgeois are all buried in Cutchogue Cemetery, Cutchogue, New York. This composition was initially developed as a benefit for The Friends of Cutchogue Cemetery Association, but the benefit did not come to fruition.

MoMA Credit Line:

Gift of the artist

MoMA Accession Number:

1571.2008

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY