
NOT IN MoMA'S COLLECTION
Cat. No. 1071/triptych 1
Arch of Hysteria
- State/Variant:
- Component A: version 1 of 2, only state; Component B: version 2 of 3, only state; Component C: version 1 of 2, only state
- Date:
- 1994
- Themes:
- Figures, Motherhood & Family
- Techniques:
- Other
- Description:
- Photocopy with crayon, ink, gouache, and thread additions
- Support:
- Paper (3 sheets, sewn together)
- Dimensions:
- sheet: 4 5/16 × 19 11/16" (11 × 50 cm)
- Signature:
- "LB 94" lower right sheet, red ink.
- Inscription:
- Verso: "To Jerry February 14, 1994 Happy Valentine."
- Publisher:
- The artist
- Printer:
- The artist
- Edition:
- 3 completed, of an announced edition of 7
- Impression:
- "1/7" lower right sheet, red ink, artist's hand.
- Edition Information:
- According to the Louise Bourgeois Studio, three of the intended edition of 7 photocopy triptychs were completed.
This composition was issued as 4 separate editions:
Single sheet: “Arched Figure”: 50; plus 10 P.P. (numbered I/X-X/X)
Diptych: “Diptych for the Red Room”: 3
Triptych 1: “Arch of Hysteria” (photocopy; reduced size): 3 completed, of an announced edition of 7
Triptych 2: “Triptych for the Red Room”: 30; plus 10 A.P.
In the evolution of “Triptych for the Red Room,” the artist worked with impressions of components A, B, and C at various states. She also combined impressions at various states to create 6 unnumbered triptychs: three signed, with hand additions; two signed, with no hand additions; one unsigned, with no hand additions.
The Evolving Composition Diagram includes all works described above.
There are 4 printer's studies in MoMA's Collection (Accession Numbers: 470.2010, 471.2010, 472.2010, 473.2010). They are not illustrated here. - State Changes and Additions:
- Matrices:
The progression of this composition involved 13 plates as well as photocopy versions of each component. The 13 plates included linear elements of the composition in drypoint and engraving; aquatint shading in the figures’ bodies; and various aquatint backgrounds.
State Changes:
Given the complexity of the development of this composition, the Evolving Composition Diagram is arranged by Component (A, B, and C for each sheet of this 3-sheet composition) and Format (single sheet, diptych and triptych) rather than by State and Version. State and Version changes are described, but specific plates (of the 13 utilized for this composition) are not identified.
(B): Changes from version 1: composition enlarged via photocopy. - Background:
- "Triptych for the Red Room" was first exhibited in 1994 at Peter Blum Gallery with Bourgeois' related dual installation pieces, "Red Room (Parents)" and "Red Room (Child)" (see Related Works in Other Mediums).
- Artist’s Remarks:
- Inscribed on the source drawing for component C: "Which one are you? Today? / The tall one or the short one / I can be either one. / You have to be / Ready to deal / with a scene / like this. I could not / even carry the bundle"
- Curatorial Remarks:
- Catalogue Numbers for the various impressions refer to their location within the Evolving Composition Diagram, rather than to the version or state.
It appears that the left segment of this work is a photocopy of the source drawing for component A: "Altered States," 1992. It appears that the center segment of this work is a photocopy of the editioned version of component B, "Arched Figure," 1992. The photocopy source of the right segment of this work is unknown.
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY