Cat. No. 660
The Small Hours, no. 2 of 9, from the series, What Is the Shape of This Problem?
- State/Variant:
- Components A and B: only state
- Date:
- 1999
- Series:
- What Is the Shape of This Problem?
- Themes
- Abstraction, Spirals, Words
- Techniques
- Relief
- Support:
- Smooth, wove Arches paper
- Dimensions:
- sheet (component A): 12 × 17" (30.5 × 43.2 cm); sheet (component B): 12 × 17" (30.5 × 43.2 cm)
- Signature:
- "LB" right lower sheet (each), pencil.
- Publisher
- Galerie Lelong , Galerie Lelong
- Printer
- SOLO Impression
- Edition:
- 25; plus 14 A.P. (3 are isolated pairs of text-image diptychs), 4 P.P., 3 T.P., 2 H.C., 1 B.A.T.
- Edition Information:
- In an unusual numbering system for the A.P.s, numbers 1-11 were given to complete sets, but numbers 12, 13, and 14 were given to isolated pairs of text-image diptychs, according to printer Judith Solodkin of SOLO Impression. Solodkin does not recall which specific diptychs were numbered 12, 13, and 14.
There is 1 known variant impression of component A, only state, outside the edition. - Impression:
- "AP 2" left lower sheet (each), pencil, unknown hand.
- Background:
- The text in this series was taken from Bourgeois's diary entries, spanning some forty years. The images are based on drawings created in the 1990s. Printer Judith Solodkin of SOLO Impression made photo-enlargements of the drawings and transferred them to letterpress plates.
- Curatorial Remarks:
- This series was reproduced on a set of note cards as a merchandise item. A tote bag merchandise item was made from no. 9.
- Description:
- Letterpress
- Installation Remarks:
- Each diptych in this series constitutes a single composition and must be exhibited in a vertical configuration as illustrated, or alternatively, with the text on top of the image. The diptychs in the series may be exhibited together or separately, and there is no required sequence.
- MoMA Credit Line:
- Gift of the artist
- MoMA Accession Number:
- 135.2000.3a-b
- This Work in Other Collections:
- Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich, Switzerland
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Tate Modern, London
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Open to compare works
Select a work in the diagram below
Components A and B: only state
1999
A
B
The Small Hours , no. 2 of 9, from the series, What Is the Shape of This Problem?
1999
Source
1998
Not in MoMA's Collection
Les 3 Fils de Robert
1998
Not in MoMA's Collection
Les 3 Fils de Robert
1998
Medium: Ink on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 9 x 11 5/8" (22.9 x 29.5 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Component A
Component B
Diptych
Related Works in the Catalogue
Related Works in Other Mediums
Not in MoMA's Collection
I Held His Eyes Within My Gaze
1998
Not in MoMA's Collection
I Held His Eyes Within My Gaze
1998
Medium: Ink, pencil, and correction fluid on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 9 x 11 3/4" (22.9 x 29.8 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Not in MoMA's Collection
Untitled
1969
Not in MoMA's Collection
Untitled
1969
Medium: Pencil and crayon on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 12 x 9" (30.5 x 22.9 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Not in MoMA's Collection
Toi et Moi
2004
Not in MoMA's Collection
Toi et Moi
2004
Medium: Ink, pencil, and correction fluid on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 9 1/2 x 8" (24.1 x 20.3 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Not in MoMA's Collection
Les 3 Fils de Robt
1998
Not in MoMA's Collection
Les 3 Fils de Robt
1998
Medium: Ink on paper
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Publication Excerpts
Louise Bourgeois,
What Is the Shape of This Problem?,
New York: Galerie Lelong, 1999No. 3 of 9
Repairs in the sky