LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Animals & Insects, Faces & Portraits

Techniques:

Drypoint

Description:

Drypoint

Support:

Smooth, wove handmade paper

Dimensions:

plate: 3 15/16 x 5 7/8" (10 x 15 cm); sheet: 8 7/8 x 9 1/2" (22.6 x 24.1 cm)

Signature:

"Louise Bourgeois" right lower margin, pencil.

Inscription:

"State IV" lower left margin, pencil, artist's hand.

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

1 known impression of version 2, state IV

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

Proof after the edition of version 1, state I, and before the editions of version 2, state VIII, on paper and fabric.

State Changes and Additions:

Changes from version 1: outline of composition rendered on a new plate, in drypoint; image size decreased.
Changes from version 2, state III by burnishing: fur removed from paws.
Changes from version 2, state III in drypoint: legs further delineated; lower lip added.

Background:

Version 1, state I, of this print was published, untitled, by the American Art Award, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, and Coach, Inc., New York. The publishers commissioned the work on the occasion of the Whitney's 2006 American Art Award, which was sponsored by Coach. The Whitney commissions an artwork each year to serve as the award to individuals or organizations recognized for sustained commitment to American artistic and cultural heritage. The honoree in 2006, the year of Bourgeois's commission, was Terry J. Lundgren, CEO, Chairman of the Board, and President of Macy's, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. Each of the editioned impressions, numbered I/IV-IV/IV, went to the Whitney Museum, the honoree, the sponsor, and the artist.

Bourgeois continued to work with the composition in second and third versions, titling the print "Self Portrait." In 2007, Harlan & Weaver, New York, published version 2, state VIII, in editions on paper and on fabric. Version 3 was not published.

Cats are a significant theme throughout Bourgeois's work. Bourgeois kept pet cats, named Champfleurette and Tyger, at her home in New York. While growing up in France, her family had pet cats and dogs, as well.

Artist’s Remarks:

"The five legged creature represents my family. I grew up in a family of five in France and also raised a family of five of my own in New York. My five legged animal is personal; it is a self portrait of my obligations. The idea of the family that stands together is very important to me." (Louise Bourgeois Studio Archive, Document Reference: LBQ-0001)

Curatorial Remarks:

The paper used for this impression was handmade by Gangolf Ulbricht, Berlin, for Bourgeois, and it features a custom watermark: "LB" enclosed in a rectangle.

This plate, used for version 2, has significant distress marks.

A pouch merchandise item was made from an image of version 2, state VIII of this composition.

MoMA Credit Line:

Gift of the artist

MoMA Accession Number:

1529.2012

This Work in Other Collections:

Whitney Museum of American Art, New York

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY