LOUISE BOURGEOIS: COMPLETE BOOKS & PRINTS

Themes:

Nature

Techniques:

Drypoint

Description:

Drypoint, with red, blue, and brown watercolor, black and red ink, white correction fluid, charcoal, and pencil additions

Support:

Smooth, wove Somerset paper

Dimensions:

plate: 23 3/8 x 14 7/8" (59.3 x 37.8 cm); sheet: 11 3/16 x 7 3/4" (28.4 x 19.7 cm)

Signature:

"LB" lower right margin, red ink.

Inscription:

"HC" lower left margin, red ink, artist's hand.

Publisher:

unpublished

Printer:

Harlan & Weaver, New York

Edition:

2 known variant impressions of version 1, state I

Impression:

Not numbered

Edition Information:

Proof before the editioning of version 2.

Background:

Version 2 of this 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.

Curatorial Remarks:

The "HC" inscription, in the artist's hand, does not indicate a conventional H.C. impression, which would be of the final state.

MoMA Credit Line:

Gift of the artist

MoMA Accession Number:

794.2008

© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY