LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Nature

Techniques:

Drypoint

Description:

Drypoint

Support:

Smooth, wove paper

Dimensions:

plate: 9 15/16 × 9 15/16" (25.3 × 25.2 cm); sheet: 11 13/16 x 11 13/16" (30 x 30 cm)

Signature:

Not signed

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

2 known impressions of state I

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

Not issued as a published edition at any state.

The additional known impression of this state is in MoMA's Collection (Accession Number: 1415.2012). It is not illustrated, due to its similarity to this impression.

State Changes and Additions:

Matrices:
The progression of this composition, as seen in the Evolving Composition Diagram below, involved 3 plates.
Plate 1: contours of map shape and faint interior details; printed in black.
Plate 2: rivers; printed in blue.
Plate 3: various dots indicating cities; printed in red.

Print State Changes:
Plate 1 printed in black.

Background:

According to Felix Harlan, of Harlan & Weaver, New York, Bourgeois's map compositions stem from her desire to sort through memories and associations with different places. The artist used preexisting maps as references for her own abstracted compositions, excluding the information essential to map reading. In this way, the maps served more as personal documents for the artist, rather than as references or guides.

The tapestry town Aubusson is located in the Creuse River Valley and was home to Bourgeois's mother's ancestors. The artist's affection for this region is evident in the inscriptions on the versos of state II, variant 3 and 4.

MoMA Credit Line:

Gift of the artist

MoMA Accession Number:

746.2008

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY