Cat. No. 561/III, variant 1
We Love You
- State/Variant:
- State III of V, variant
- Date:
- 2000
- Themes:
- Words
- Techniques:
- Engraving
- Description:
- Engraving, with red ink additions
- Support:
- Smooth, wove paper
- Dimensions:
- plate: 3 1/2 x 9 3/4" (8.9 x 24.8 cm); sheet: 5 9/16 x 12" (14.2 x 30.5 cm)
- Signature:
- "LB" right lower margin, red ink.
- Publisher:
- unpublished
- Printer:
- Harlan & Weaver, New York
- Edition:
- 2 known variant impressions of state III
- Impression:
- Not numbered
- Edition Information:
- Proof before the editioning of state V.
- State Changes and Additions:
- Changes from state II, in engraving: "We" added; all letters reinforced.
- Background:
- Bourgeois created prints as holiday gifts for a circle of friends. The editioned state of "We Love You" was the holiday gift for 2000.
- Curatorial Remarks:
- What appears to be selective wiping is actually caused by markings in the plate.
- Other Remarks:
- According to Jerry Gorovoy, the artist's assistant, Bourgeois found it very reassuring to declare her affection for her loved ones, and to receive their love in return. In addition to the prints and drawings that demonstrate this, the three untitled 1989 sculptures (seen below in Related Works in Other Mediums) also explore this idea, and show a rare use of text in the artist's sculpture. She also wrote such phrases on surfaces throughout her home. See Related Works in the Other Mediums for images from the artist's home.
- MoMA Credit Line:
- Gift of the artist
- MoMA Accession Number:
- 1005.2008
- This Work in Other Collections:
- Tate Modern, London
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY