We Love You

Cat. No. 731.2, variant 2

We Love You

State/Variant:
Version 2 of 2, only state, variant
Date:
1992
Themes
Words
Techniques
Drypoint
Support:
Smooth, wove paper
Dimensions:
plate: 12 15/16 × 19 15/16" (32.8 × 50.6 cm); sheet: 20 13/16 × 29 15/16" (52.9 × 76 cm)
Signature:
Not signed
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
2 known variant impressions of version 2
Edition Information:
Not issued as a published edition in either version.
Impression:
Not numbered
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.
Former Cat. No.:
W & S 122.2
Description:
Drypoint, with puncture additions
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from version 1: verso of plate used in version 1 printed.
Puncture additions: sheet pierced along the contours of several letters.
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:
623.1993
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

We Love You

1992

Source

1987

We Love You

Source

1992

We Love You
Matrix
Untitled (Copper Plate for We Love You)
First Version
We Love You
We Love You
Second Version
We Love You
We Love You

Related Works in the Catalogue

merci. mercy.
Untitled, plate 1 of 6, from the portfolio, Together
Love from Louise
Untitled, plate 5 of 6, from the portfolio, Together
We Love You
Tornado
We Love You

Related Works in Other Mediums

We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You (detail)
Untitled (With Hands)
Je T'aime