Cat. No. 731 (matrix)
Untitled (Copper Plate for We Love You)
- Date:
- 1992
- Themes
- Words
- Techniques
- Drypoint
- Dimensions:
- plate: 12 15/16 × 19 15/16" (32.8 × 50.6 cm)
- Signature:
- Not signed
- Background:
- The plate initially had painted letters, which Bourgeois punched out with a hammer and nails. The artist employed a similar technique in the print compositions “Tornado,” 1992, and “merci. mercy.,” 1991-1992, seen in Related Works in the Catalogue below.
Bourgeois printed impressions from both sides of the plate. The version 1 impressions were pulled from the front of the plate and the version 2 impression was pulled from the back of the plate.
This composition was initially considered as a benefit print for Documenta IX, 1992, but rejected by Bourgeois because of corrosion on the plate. "merci. mercy." was submitted instead. - Description:
- Copper plate, with drypoint
- Artist’s Remarks:
- "I did this for someone. I sent two pieces of metal... one was inscribed... one was empty... and I sent a hammer. It was a little push... an invitation to him... it was my way of saying 'we love you.'" (Quote cited in Wye, Deborah and Carol Smith. “The Prints of Louise Bourgeois.” New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1994, p. 207.)
- 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.
- MoMA Credit Line:
- Gift of the artist
- MoMA Accession Number:
- 540.1994.1-2
1992
We Love You
1992
Source
1987
We Love You
1987
We Love You
1987
Medium: Holes punctured in metal
Dimensions: overall: 6 1/2 x 12 5/8" (16.5 x 32.1 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Source
1992
We Love You
1992
We Love You
1992
Medium: Pencil on graph paper
Dimensions: sheet: 11 × 17" (27.9 × 43.2 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
1992
Untitled (Copper Plate for <i>We Love You</i>)
1992
Version 1 of 2, only state
1992
<i>We Love You</i>
1992
Version 1 of 2, only state, variant
1992
<i>We Love You</i>
1992
Version 2 of 2, only state, variant
1992
<i>We Love You</i>
1992
Version 2 of 2, only state, variant
1992
<i>We Love You</i>
1992
Related Works in the Catalogue
merci. mercy.
State III of III
1992
<i>merci. mercy.</i>
1992
Untitled, plate 1 of 6, from the portfolio, Together
Only state
2005
Untitled, plate 1 of 6, from the portfolio, <i>Together</i>
2005
Love from Louise
Only state, variant
c. 2007
<i>Love from Louise</i>
c. 2007
Untitled, plate 5 of 6, from the portfolio, Together
Version 2 of 2, only state
2005
Untitled, plate 5 of 6, from the portfolio,<i> Together</i>
2005
We Love You
2005
<i>We Love You</i>
2005
Tornado
Version 2 of 2, only state
1991-1992
<i>Tornado</i>
1991-1992
We Love You
State V of V
2000
<i>We Love You</i>
2000
Related Works in Other Mediums
We Love You
1990
We Love You
1990
Medium: Gouache on sandpaper
Dimensions: sheet: 8 1/4 x 10" (21 x 25.4 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
We Love You
2000
We Love You
2000
Medium: Ink on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" (21.6 x 14 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
We Love You
1999
We Love You
1999
Medium: Lead and steel wall relief
Dimensions: overall: 10 3/8 x 10 1/2 x 5/8" (26.4 x 26.7 x 1.6 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
We Love You
2005
We Love You
2005
Medium: Bronze wall plaque
Dimensions: overall: 3 3/8 x 5 3/8" (8.6 x 13.7 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
We Love You
2001
We Love You
2001
Medium: Fabric, lead, and steel
Dimensions: overall: 16 x 12 x 8" (40.6 x 30.5 x 20.3 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
We Love You (detail)
2001
We Love You (detail)
2001
Medium: Fabric, lead, and steel
Dimensions: overall: 16 x 12 x 8" (40.6 x 30.5 x 20.3 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Untitled (With Hands)
1989
Untitled (With Hands)
1989
Medium: Pink marble
Dimensions: overall: 35 × 39 × 34" (88.9 × 99.1 × 86.4 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Je T'aime
1977
Je T'aime
1977
Medium: Ink on graph paper
Dimensions: sheet: 8 1/4 × 12 3/4" (21 × 32.4 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY