merci. mercy.

Cat. No. 730/III

merci. mercy.

State/Variant:
State III of III
Date:
1992
Themes
Words
Techniques
Drypoint
Support:
Smooth, wove Somerset paper
Dimensions:
plate: 17 3/4 x 27 3/8" (45.1 x 69.6 cm); sheet: 20 7/8 x 30 1/16" (53 x 76.4 cm)
Signature:
"Louise Bourgeois" lower right margin, pencil.
Publisher
Documenta
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
45; plus 5 H.C. (numbered I/V-V/V), 5 P.P., 1 B.A.T.
Impression:
"V/V" lower left margin, pencil, unkown hand.
Background:
Bourgeois showed her installation "Precious Liquids" at Documenta IX in 1992, seen below in Related Works in Other Mediums. To help finance Documenta IX, the curators commissioned some 60 artists (59 actually contributed) to make a benefit print or multiple, which would be editioned and sold in portfolios during the exhibition through the corporation that organizes the event, Documenta GmbH. Both well-known and lesser-known artists were invited to participate. Ten portfolios were created and issued as Editions A-J. With one exception, each included works by six artists.

For her print, Bourgeois used the phrase "merci. mercy.", which also appeared on a white garment, concealed by a long coat, in "Precious Liquids." The print is included in the portfolio designated Edition I, together with works by Marlene Dumas, Peter Kogler, James Lutes, Thanassis Totsikas, and an artist who goes by the name "readymades belong to everyone."

Bourgeois created this plate by hammering a nail through thin roofing copper.

The artist employed a similar technique in the print compositions “Tornado,” 1991-1992, and “We Love You,” 1992, seen in Related Works in the Catalogue below.
Former Cat. No.:
W & S 123
Description:
Drypoint
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from state I, in drypoint: letters widened by further hammered indentations.
Benefit Work:
For Documenta IX, 1992
Artist’s Remarks:
"I want much more than thank you... I want forgiveness... I ask for mercy. Who is at fault? Who is the culprit? Is it you, or is it me? I would rather make it my trouble... then I could take care of it... I could become active instead of passive." (Quote cited in Wye, Deborah and Carol Smith. “The Prints of Louise Bourgeois.” New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1994, p. 209.)
MoMA Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:
287.1994
This Work in Other Collections:
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

merci. mercy.

1992

Source

1992

Merci Mercy
States
merci. mercy.
merci. mercy.
merci. mercy.
merci. mercy.

Related Works in the Catalogue

Tornado
Merci Crime
We Love You

Related Works in Other Mediums

Precious Liquids
Mercy
Merci Mercy
Precious Liquids (detail)