LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Words

Techniques:

Drypoint

Description:

Drypoint

Support:

Smooth, wove Somerset paper

Dimensions:

plate: 17 3/4 x 27 3/8" (45.1 x 69.6 cm); sheet: 20 7/8 x 30 1/16" (53 x 76.4 cm)

Signature:

"Louise Bourgeois" lower right margin, pencil.

Publisher:

Documenta, Kassel, Germany

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

45; plus 5 H.C. (numbered I/V-V/V), 5 P.P., 1 B.A.T.

Impression:

"V/V" lower left margin, pencil, unkown hand.

State Changes and Additions:

Changes from state I, in drypoint: letters widened by further hammered indentations.

Benefit Work:

For Documenta IX, 1992

Background:

Bourgeois showed her installation "Precious Liquids" at Documenta IX in 1992, seen below in Related Works in Other Mediums. To help finance Documenta IX, the curators commissioned some 60 artists (59 actually contributed) to make a benefit print or multiple, which would be editioned and sold in portfolios during the exhibition through the corporation that organizes the event, Documenta GmbH. Both well-known and lesser-known artists were invited to participate. Ten portfolios were created and issued as Editions A-J. With one exception, each included works by six artists.

For her print, Bourgeois used the phrase "merci. mercy.", which also appeared on a white garment, concealed by a long coat, in "Precious Liquids." The print is included in the portfolio designated Edition I, together with works by Marlene Dumas, Peter Kogler, James Lutes, Thanassis Totsikas, and an artist who goes by the name "readymades belong to everyone."

Bourgeois created this plate by hammering a nail through thin roofing copper.

The artist employed a similar technique in the print compositions “Tornado,” 1991-1992, and “We Love You,” 1992, seen in Related Works in the Catalogue below.

Artist’s Remarks:

"I want much more than thank you... I want forgiveness... I ask for mercy. Who is at fault? Who is the culprit? Is it you, or is it me? I would rather make it my trouble... then I could take care of it... I could become active instead of passive." (Quote cited in Wye, Deborah and Carol Smith. “The Prints of Louise Bourgeois.” New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1994, p. 209.)

Former Cat. No.:

W & S 123

MoMA Credit Line:

Gift of the artist

MoMA Accession Number:

287.1994

This Work in Other Collections:

National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY