Cat. No. 4a/II

Untitled, plate 1 of 9, from the illustrated book, Ode à Ma Mère

State/Variant:: State II of III
Date:: 1995

Themes: Spiders, Spirals
Techniques: Drypoint
Support:: Smooth, wove Somerset paper
Dimensions:: plate: 9 15/16 x 4" (25.3 x 10.2cm); sheet: 10 15/16 x 6 5/16" (27.8 x 16 cm)
Signature:: Not signed
Publisher: unpublished
Printer: Louise Bourgeois
Edition:: 1 known impression of state II
Edition Information:: Proof before the editioning of state III.
Impression:: Not numbered
Background:: This project was conceived for Les Éditions du Solstice, a Parisian illustrated book society, under the direction of Jean-Claude Meyer. Bourgeois also contributed a frontispiece, “Spiraling Eyes,” to another of their publications: "Les Éditions du Solstice: Annuaire de la Décennie, 1989-1999," a volume documenting the activities of the society. Les Éditions du Solstice was founded under French law in 1901 to promote book collecting, and it publishes a limited edition, illustrated literary work every year or so. The maximum edition is 120 and copies are distributed to members. Other examples of their literary works include "La Nouvelle chute de l’Amérique" by Allen Ginsberg, with illustrations by Roy Lichtenstein, and "Sans Titre" by Hans Magnus Enzensberger, with illustrations by Markus Lüpertz.
Descriptive Title:: English translation: "Ode to My Mother"
Description:: Drypoint, with black ink additions
Inscription:: Recto: "2" (encircled) left lower margin, black ink, artist's hand. Verso: "the Egg / 1 { ligne tirée / pulled line / silver point / 2 pushed line / burin / 3 ruller line / Piranesi / teach Claire / who is the Printer . 1 / the wiper 2 / the inker 3 / the Stove inking / numberer / is it n° 1 OR n 2 / which comes first." upper to lower center, black ink, artist's hand; "July .95" center right sheet verso, black ink.
State Changes and Additions:: Additions in black ink: spider's legs widened and body textured, anticipating state III; shading at top, anticipating selective wiping.
Author Information:: Jean-Claude Meyer, of Les Éditions du Solstice, suggested that the project be a collaboration between Bourgeois and a writer. Bourgeois preferred to provide her own text written specifically for this project.
MoMA Credit Line:: Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:: 617.1996
This Work in Other Collections:: Cleveland Museum of Art, OH
Kunstmuseum Bern, Switzerland
Maier Museum of Art, Randolph College, VA
Tate Modern, London