Cat. No. 758.2
The Ainu Tree
- State/Variant:
- Version 2 of 2, only state
- Date:
- 1999
- Themes:
- Nature
- Techniques:
- Lithography
- Description:
- Lithograph, with red crayon additions
- Support:
- Smooth, wove BFK Rives paper
- Dimensions:
- composition: 22 15/16 x 15 1/16" (58.3 x 38.3 cm); sheet: 29 1/8 x 20 1/16" (74 x 51 cm)
- Signature:
- "LB" lower right margin, pencil.
- Publisher:
- The artist
- Printer:
- SOLO Impression, New York
- Edition:
- 100; plus 20 A.P., 4 P.P., 1 T.P., 1 B.A.T.
- Impression:
- "AP 3" pencil, lower left margin, unknown hand.
- Edition Information:
- The other known impression of this state, outside the edition, is in MoMA's Collection (Accession Number: 1400.2008). It is not illustrated, due its similarity to this impression. The impression not illustrated includes the following inscription: "HC" lower left margin, red ink, artist's hand. The inscription does not indicate a conventional H.C. impression, which would be counted within the edition.
- State Changes and Additions:
- Changes from version 1: composition transferred to new matrix and color added throughout composition, in lithography.
Additions in red crayon: small portions of roots filled in. - Benefit Work:
- For Ainu Minzoku-to Chikyu Shimin-no Kai, Sapporo, Japan.
- Background:
- This version of the composition was published as a benefit for the organization, "Ainu Minzoku-to Chikyu Shimin-no Kai," Sapporo, Japan. Bourgeois's son, Jean-Louis Bourgeois, visited Japan to accept an award for the artist. While there, he learned of the plight and poverty of the Ainu, an indigenous Japanese tribe. He asked his mother to execute a benefit print for the organization.
- MoMA Credit Line:
- Gift of the artist
- MoMA Accession Number:
- 15.2002
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY