Le Phare

Cat. No. 644/II

Le Phare

State/Variant:
State II of III
Date:
1946-1947
Themes
Architecture, Nature
Techniques
Drypoint, Engraving
Support:
Smooth, wove paper
Dimensions:
plate: 6 13/16 x 4 15/16" (17.3 x 12.6cm); sheet: 9 13/16 x 6 7/16" (25 x 16.4 cm)
Signature:
Not signed
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
The artist at Atelier 17
Edition:
1 known impression of state II
Edition Information:
Not issued as a published edition at any state.
Impression:
"3/3" lower right margin, pencil, artist's hand.
Curatorial Remarks:
Although the artist inscribed this impression as state III, it is actually state II.

In the second half of the 1940s, Bourgeois spent time at Atelier 17, the print workshop of Stanley William Hayter. The workshop had transferred operations from Paris to New York during the war years. It is not known precisely which prints she made at the workshop since she also worked at home on a small press. The designation of “the artist at Atelier 17” as printer means that the impression was likely made at the workshop. The designation is based on dates, inscriptions, techniques favored at Atelier 17, and/or stylistic similarities to images in the illustrated book “He Disappeared into Complete Silence,” which the artist repeatedly cited as having been made at Atelier 17. It is also possible that Bourgeois worked on certain plates both at home and at the workshop, or pulled impressions at both places.

Given the inscription on the verso of this impression, it appears that Bourgeois considered this composition for "He Disappeared Into Complete Silents," but did not finally include it.
Former Cat. No.:
W & S 43
Descriptive Title:
English translation: "The Lighthouse"
Description:
Engraving and drypoint, with pencil additions
Inscription:
"le phare" lower left margin, pencil, artist's hand; "3/3 / état 3" lower right margin, pencil, artist's hand. Verso: "el faro / le phare / structure #16 5 x 7 / he disapeared [sic] suite/ 6 [circled]" center sheet, pencil, artist's hand.
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from state I, in drypoint: hatching added to several areas of the upper composition.
Changes from state I, in engraving: lowest horizontal lines extended to right edge of composition.
Artist’s Remarks:
"There is a terrific fear of catastrophe and a desire for protection. The lighthouse is a protection. The searchlight is a kind of exorcism... it conquers chaos... then peace reigns again." The small structure in the background with a "circle of light," is the lighthouse; the structure in the foreground is a "personnage... Without the help of the lighthouse, the personnage will tumble. This is a plea for help against drowning. It is a search for stability." (Quote cited in Wye, Deborah and Carol Smith. "The Prints of Louise Bourgeois." New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1994, p. 104.)
MoMA Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:
244.1992.2
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Le Phare

1946-1947

States
Le Phare
Le Phare
Le Phare

Related Works in the Catalogue

Le Soleil
La Maison d'Arcueil
St. Germain
He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 1)
Pont Transbordeur
Plate 9 of 9, from the illustrated book, He Disappeared into Complete Silence, first edition (Example 1)

Related Works in Other Mediums

Femme Maison
Untitled
Untitled
Lighthouse
Prison & Ladder
Untitled
Untitled
Untitled
Untitled